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THE  ORIGINAL  ITALIAN, 
FRENCH  OR  GERMAN 
LIBRETTO  WITH    A 
.CORRECT   ENGLISH 
vTRANSLATION.( 


TIEFLAND 


i\ 


W*)' 


m 


Published  by 

Inc, 


FRED. 


NEW  YORK  CITY 


'THE  ONLY  CORRECT  AND  AUTHORIZED  EDITION 


s 


Tiefland 


"Tiefland"  is  a  story  of  Spain:  its  locale, 
the  Pyrenees  mountains ;  its  characters,  the 
peasants  in  this  tiny  village  in  the  valley 
(the  "Tiefland"  or  "Lovi'lands"),  still  living 
under  a  sort  of  feudal  system;  the  'plaster" 
— Sebastiano — literally  owning  them  all, 
body  and  soul. 

High  in  the  mountains  lives  Pedro,  a 
shepherd  ;  simple,  guileless,  devout — alone — 
who  joyfully  greets  Nando,  the  first  human 
being  with  whom  he  has  spoken  in  three 
months.  In  answer  to  Nando's  question  if 
such  loneliness  is  not  terrible,  Pedro  an- 
swers that  it  is  all  beautiful  to  him ;  he 
dreams  his  days  and  nights  away  and  prays 
always  that  God  may  send  him  a  wife.  He 
admits  that  he  has  never  spoken  with  a 
woman,  but  he  has  had  a  wonderful  dream 
which  he  repeats  to  Nando,  in  which  the 
Madonna  has  promised  him  that  God  will 
send  him  a  wife.  Sebastiano  arrives,  and 
with  him  are  Tomasso,  the  village  patriarch, 
and  a  woman — Marta  !  While  Tomasso  goes 
to  Pedro's  hut  to  call  him,  Sebastiano  tells 
Marta  his  plan :  she  is  to  marry  Pedro.  She 
refuses,  defies,  pleads,  but  Sebastiano  is  the 
master,  and  he  remains  obdurate.  As  Pedro 
comes  Marta  disappears  down  the  mountain- 
side. 

Sebastiano  offers  Pedro  the  management 
of  the  mill,  and  Marta  as  his  wife,  but  he 
says  nothing  to  Pedro  of  the  relationship 
existing  between  himself  and  Marta.  Upon 
Tomasso's  advice  and  remembering  the 
dream-promise,  Pedro  joyfully  accepts,  and 
departs  for  the  valley. 

Act  I.  The  interior  of  the  mill;  Moruc- 
cio — the  assistant  miller — at  work.  Three 
of  the  village  women  rush  in  excitedly,  ques- 
tioning Moruccio  about  Marta's  marriage. 
Moruccio  remains  morosely  silent,  but  Nuri 
— a  child  so  simple  she  doesn't  even  know 
the  meaning  of  what  she  has  heard — comes 
seeking  Marta,  and  innocently  tells  them  all 
they  would  know — and  even  more.  One 
thing  she  doesn't  understand,  she  says:  She 
knows  they  all  belong  to  Sebastiano,  but  she 
has  heard  him  say  that  he  will  be  Marta's 
eternally.     How  can  that  be? 

Marta  comes  and  drives  out  the  women 
who  taunt  her.  She  greets  Nuri  lovingly, 
but  sends  her  away  also,  and — left  alone — 
becomes  lost  in  contemplation  of  the  fate 
which  threatens  her — -finally  rushing  from 
the  mill. 

Tomasso  comes  and  Moruccio  tells  him 
Sebastiano  is  forcing  Marta  to  marry  Pedro 
to  quiet  the  village  gossip,  so  that  Sebas 
tiano  may  replenish  his  fortunes  through  a 
rich  marriage.  Tomasso  refuses  to  believe 
Moruccio.  Pedro  arrives,  eager  for  the 
wedding.  Tomasso  endeavors  to  have  a  word 
with  Sebastiano,  but  the  latter  has  no  time. 
Before  Sebastiano  sends  them  off  to  the 
wedding  Marta  tells  him  that  all  is  over  be- 
tween   them,   but    Sebastiano   whispers   that 


TIEFLAND— Cont'd 

he  will  come  to  her  after  the  ceremony.  To- 
masso finally  has  an  opportunity  to  talk  with 
Sebastiano,  and,  becoming  suspicious,  starts 
for  the  church  to  halt  the  wedding,  but  he  is 
too  late. 

After  the  wedding  Marta  and  Pedro  are 
left  alone,  but  Marta  does  not  respond  to 
Pedro's  love-making.  He  offers  her  a  pres- 
ent of  some  money,  which  she  refuses.  '  It  ia 
hard-earned  money,  he  tells  her.  For  one  of 
the  thalers  he  has  risked  his  life  to  protect 
the  master's  sheep  from  a  wolf.  Marta  is 
touched,  but  saj's  it  is  late  and  points  to 
Pedro's  room,  which  is  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  mill.  Pedro,  however,  starts  toward 
her  room  just  as  a  light  appears  behind  hev 
curtain.  Sebastiano  has  dared  to  come ! 
Pedro  is  unable  to  understand  just  what  is 
liappening,  but  Avhen  Marta  sits  down  at  the 
fireplace  he  lies  down  on  the  floor  at  her 
feet,  to  sleep. 

The  second  act  is  the  same:  Nuri  comes 
to  wish  them  good-morning,  but  finds  Pedro 
still  asleep.  When  Marta  returns  and  finds 
them  talking  together  she  becomes  jealous 
and  drives  Nuri  out.  Pedro  goes  with  her. 
Tomasso  enters,  and  Marta  tells  him  of  her 
life:  how  as  a  child  she  stood  begging  with 
her  blind  mother.  Then  they  were  joined 
by  an  old  man,  and  after  her  mother's  death 
they  two  had  wandered  through  the  country, 
Marta  dancing  as  he  played.  They  had 
come  here,  and  Sebastiano  had  asked  them 
to  stay.  She  was  then  only  thirteen.  Sebas- 
tiano came  every  day;  coaxed  and  threat- 
ened; the  old  man  beat  her.  Finally  she 
yielded.  Today,  though,  during  the  cere- 
mony it  had  come  to  her  that  Pedro  could 
and  would  care  for  her,  protect  and  love 
her.  Tomasso  leaves,  telling  her  she  must 
tell  Pedro  all.  When  Pedro  comes  Marta 
tries  to  goad  him  into  killing  her,  but  begs 
him  not  to  leave  her.  She  finally  accuses 
Pedro  of  having  sold  his  honor,  of  having 
accepted  money  to  marry  her,  infuriating 
him  so  that  he  does  stab  her  in  the  arm. 
Pedro,  overcome  by  remorse,  asks  how  he 
could  kill  her  when  he  loves  her  better  than 
life.  They  will  go  back  into  his  mountains 
and  celebrate  their  marriage.  As  they  start 
Sebastiano  enters.  He  orders  Marta  to 
dance.  Pedro  interferes,  and  when  Sebas- 
tiano strikes  him  Marta  tries  to  make  him 
defend  himself,  but,  in  awe  of  the  master, 
he  will  not  do  so.  When  she  finally  tells 
him  it  was  Sebastiano  who  was  in  her  room 
Pedro  attempts  to  attack  him,  but  upon 
Sebastiano's  command  the  villagers  carry 
him  away  just  as  Tomasso  enters  to  say  that 
all  is  off  between  Sebastiano  and  his  rich 
bride.  Tomasso  has  told  her  father  all. 
Pedro  finally  returns  and  challenges  Sebas- 
tiano to  fight  for  Marta :  the  one  who  sur- 
vives is  to  have  her.  Pedro  is  victorious, 
and  calls  the  villagers  in.  He  has  killed 
"The  Wolf,"  and  he  and  Marta  are  at  lib- 
erty to  return  to  the  free  air  of  his  moun 
tains. 


1926-1927 

Grand  Opera  Season 

THURSDAY  EVENING,  DECEMBER  23,  at  8 

TIEFLAND 

(The  Lowland) 
(In  Er.glish) 

Music-Drama  in  a  Prologue  and  Two  Acts. 

Libretto  after  A.  Guimera  by  Rudolph  Lothar. 

Enghsh  Version  of  R.  H.  Klein,  adapted  for  Chicago  Civic  Opera  Co 

Music  by  Eugen  d' Albert. 

Sebastiano,  a  Rich  Land  Owner 

Tomaso,  the  Village  Elder,  Aged  Ninety 


Moruccio,  Mil 
Marta 
Pepa     . 
Antonia 
Rosalia 
Nuri     . 
Pedro 
Nando 


er's  Man 


Hn  Sebastiano's  Service 


Shepherds 


Giacomo  Rimini 

Alexander  Kipnis 

Antonio  Nicolich 

Elsa  Alsen 

Alice  d'Hermanoy 

Irene  Pavloska 

Lorna  Doone  Jackson 

Helen  Freund 

Forrest  Lamont 

Jose  Mojica 


Conductor     .      .  xj  i-.   -.tt  i 

stage  Director  .   .   :   [   ;   ;   ;   ;   ;   ;    ""^IZLVoZ 


^yi.9.^ 


U"^ 


^^t 


^a^VNOPSIS  ON  NEXT  PAGE 


Salhmin  Pianos  Used  Exclusively 

ENCORES  NOT  PERMITTED 


iLSA  ALSEN 


PUBLISHED    BY 

The  scene  is  laid  partly  on  a  mountain  in  the  P^V'e'   ^^RK,    N.    Y. 
^amsh  Lowland  of  Catalonia  at  the  foot  of  the  Pyrenees 

Prologue:    A  Rocky  Slope  High  up  in  the  Pyrenees. 
Acts  I  and  H:    The  Interior  of  the  Mill. 


M 


2  TIE  F  LAND 

ARGUMENT 

Pedro  is  a  shepherd  lad  of  the  Pyrenees.  High  above  the  lowland  plains  he 
guards  the  flocks  of  Sebastiano,  his  master,  plays  his  rustic  pipe  and  dreams  of 
a  good  woman's  love. 

Sebastiano  appears  in  the  hills  with  Marta — bought  of  a  passing  vagabond, 
she  is  the  helpless  slave  of  his  brutal  passion — and,  since  he  must  make  a  rich 
marriage,  he  plans  to  have  innocent  Pedro  marry  her.  meaning  to  enjoy  her  favor 
as  before.  Pedro,  ignorant  of  her  past,  sees  in  her  the  girl  of  his  dreams.  Will- 
ingly he  agrees  to  wed  her  and  to  descend  to  the  Catalonian  Lowland  village  to 
become  Sebastiano's  miller  there. 

Little  NuRi,  in  Sebastiano's  service,  unwittingly  discloses  INL-vrta's  shame, 
and  mill  folk  and  villagers  mock  her  and  the  witless  boy  on  his  way  from  the  hills 
to  wed  her.  In  vain  Marta  begs  Sebastiano  not  to  force  her  into  the  marriage. 
His  reply  is  the  statement  that  he  will  visit  her  on  her  bridal  night.  After  the 
wedding,  alone  with  his  wife,  Pedro's  honest  affection — (he  gives  her  all  his 
wealth,  the  silver  dollar  awarded  him  for  slaying  a  wolf) — brings  home  to  the 
unfortunate  girl  the  shamefulness  of  her  situation.  Sebastiano's  signal  light 
flashes  in  her  bedroom,  but  she  ignores  it,  and  remains  in  the  mill  with  her  wor- 
shipping young  husband. 

But  the  light  and  Marta's  strange  behavior,  have  aroused  Pedro's  suspicions. 
Going  down  into  the  village  he  returns  knowing  Marta  is  not  the  pure  girl  he 
thought  her,  but  ignorant  of  her  seducer's  name.  Marta,  who  loves  the  boy  since 
she  found  he  was  innocent  of  any  knowledge  of  her  guilt,  but  feels  that  now  she 
never  can  win  his  heart,  taunts  him,  hoping  he  will  slay  her.  But  he,  in  turn, 
when  his  dagger  draws  her  blood,  realizes  he  loves  her  despite  all,  and  when  she 
passionately  admits  her  own  love  for  him  he  begs  her  to  leave  the  miasmic  Low- 
land air  and  return  with  him  to  the  high  hills,  where  the  winds  of  heaven  blow 
clean  and  pure.  There — poor  victim  of  an  unscrupulous  lust — her  misfortune 
shall  be  forgotten,  and  they  will  be  happy  in  their  affection.  But  Sebastiano 
who  enters  brutally  insists  that  Marta  dance  for  him,  and  when  Pedro,  as  she 
indignantly  denounces  her  betrayer  to  him,  intervenes,  he  is  flung  out  of  the 
house.  The  news  brought  by  Tommaso,  a  village  elder,  that  the  rich  widow  whom 
Sebastiano  hopes  to  marry  will  have  none  of  him,  maddens  the  brutal  Low- 
knder.  ]\Iarta  cries  for  help  as  he  clasps  her,  fighting  against  his  kisses,  and 
?EDR0  leaps  through  the  window.  Flinging  himself  on  the  infamous  mill-owner 
lie  strangles  him  with  his  bare  hands,  as  he  strangled  the  wolf  in  the  hills.  While 
he  flings  the  dead  body  from  him  the  horrified  villagers,  who  have  run  up  and 
witnessed  the  struggle  stand  aghast :  they  bow  to  the  judgment  of  God,  and  hand 
in  hand  Pedro  and  Marta  spurn  the  dust  of  the  Lowlands  from  their  feet  as 
they  turn  their  faces  toward  the  high  hills  and  happiness  to  come. 

CHARACTERS 

SEBASTIANO,  a  rich  landed  proprietor        TOMMASO,  the  village  elder,  aged  80 
MORUCCIO,  miller's  man 


ROSALIA 

NURI 

PEDRO,  a  shepherd 

NANDO,  a  shepherd 


^l^T??^  rin  Sebastiano's  Service^ 

PEPA 

ANTONIA  J 

A  PRIEST 

The  opera  plays  partly  on  a  mountain  pasturage  in  the  Pyrenees,  partly  in 
the  Spanish  Lowland  of  Catalonia  at  the  foot  of  the  Pyrenees. 
Stage  directions :   Right  and  left  as  from  the  auditorium. 


TIEFLAND 


TIEFLAND 


Music  Libraiy 
50 


B 


^4^-7 


\ 


PRELUDE 


A  rocky  slope,  high  up  in  the  Pyrenees. 
From  the  extreme  foreground  the 
stage  slopes  upward,  almost  half  as 
high  as  the  proscenium.  On  this 
slope,  on  the  left,  stands  a  primitive 
shepherd's  hut.  In  front  of  it  a  well 
and  a  trough.  On  the  left  the  decliv- 
ity is  lost  among  boulders.  Behind 
the  hill,  which  thus  occupies  the 
whole  zvidth  of  the  stage,  a  deep  hol- 
lozv  appears  to  lie.  Beyond  the  hol- 
low rise  the  snow-covered  peaks  of 
the  Pyrenees  in  strange  fantastic 
forms.  In  the  center  a  huge  glacier, 
with  an  enormous  rocky  mass  he- 
side  it. 

SCENE  I 

{About  3  o'clock  a.  m.  Starlit  sky.  The 
whole  background  is  invisible — veiled 
in  mists.  On  the  stage:  dawn,  in 
which  the  outlines  of  the  hut  can 
just  be  dimly  distinguished.  The 
stage  is  empty.) 

Nando  (invisible  from  below) 
Ohe! 

Pedro   (invisible,  above  on  the 
left,  replies) 
Ohe! 

(After  a  zvhile  Nando  comes  in  sight 
on  the  right  front  and  Pedro  appears 
above,  by  the  hut.) 

Pedro 
The  Lord  in.  heav'n  be  praised. 

Nando 
For  evermore! 

Pedro 

Is  it  toward  the  East  your  flock  you're 
leading  ? 

Nando 
Up  to  the  mountains. 

Pedro 
Mind  the  wolves  up  yonder ! 


Nando 


I  have  my  slings  and  Fve  my  trusty 
dog. 

Pedro 

And  I  have  faith  in  God ! 

(Both  now  meet  on  the  middle  of  the 
hill.  From  the  hollow  belozv  the 
tinkle  of  sheepbells  is  heard.) 

'Twill  be  a  lovely  morning. 

Nando 
When  all  the  mist  has  vanished. 

Pedro 
Give  the  good  shepherds  greeting. 

Nando 
Have  you  not  seen  them? 

Pedro 

Three  months  have  now  gone  by 

Since  I  have  seen  a  living  soul ; 

And  'tis  six  months  ago 

Since  I  held  speech  with  any ; 

And   when   you  disappear   behind   the 

mountain, 
Then    many    weeks    and    months   may 

vanish. 
Nay,  perhaps  a  year, 
Before   I   speak  a  word  with   human 

being. 

Nando 

And  is  your  lonely  life  not  dreadful? 

Pedro 

I  glory  in  my  life! 

I  dream  by  night,  and  dream  by  day, 

And  feel  so  happy.  Who  could  be  hap- 
pier? 

Two  Paternosters  ev'ry  night  I  say ; 

The  first  I  say  is  for  the  parents 

I  never  knew. 

But  dwelling  up  aloft  by  God's  high 
throne, 

They  both  are  watching,  full  of  love, 
o'er  me. 

But  now  my  second  Paternoster ; 

That  is  a  special  prayer  to  God  Him- 
self. 

I  beg  him  ev'ry  night 

To  send  a  wife  to  make  life  perfect. 


*> 


csa^s? 


TIEFLAND 


Nando   (laughs) 

A  wife  ?  Ha,  ha !  Do  you  know  wom- 
en? Why,  have  you  ever  talked 
to  one,  or  seen  one? 

Pedro 

Not  yet.  How  should  a  woman  come 
up  here? 

But  once  a  year  from  afar  I  have 
gazed  at  them 

When  in  the  vale  below  to  church  I 
went. 

But  I  feel  certain — that  if  God  de- 
sires— 

I,  too,  shall  get  a  wife  all  in  due  sea- 
son. 

Nando  (laughs) 

Pedro 

There  is  no  cause  to  laugh.  I  mean  it, 
truly. 

Last  night,  as  I  was  lying  in  my  moun- 
tain shanty, 

I  just  had  finished  saying  my  first 
prayer  aloud. 

Starting  my  second  one, 

But  with  the  first  few  words  I  fell 
asleep. 

And  on  my  lips  my  pray'r  remained 
unspoken. 

And  dreaming,  suddenly  I  saw  my 
flock 

Take  refuge  in  the  valley  yonder. 

I  gave  it  chase,  and  placing  a  stone 

In  my  sling  I  threw  it  ahead 

To  keep  the  sheep  from  straying  fur- 
ther. 

The  stone  dropt  in  the  Lake  of  Rocca- 
bruna. 

The  placid  water  seethes  and  boils 

As  if  it  were  a  caldron. 

The  vapors  thicken,  then  they  part 
asunder. 

And  from  their  depths  arise  a  mys- 
terious form. 

A  wondrous  shining  robe,  a  snowy  arm, 

A  head  with  flowing  golden  hair 

"The  witch!"  I  shriek  aloud,  "the 
mountain  witch !" 

But  no !  So  fair  no  witch  could  ever 
be. 

And  suddenly  the  raging  lake  grows 
placid. 

The  apparition  glides  across  the  mere, 
approaches  me. 


She  was  so  fair that  I  cannot  de- 
scribe her. 

And  as  she  came  the  trees  bowed  down 
before  her. 

The  buds  awoke  and  turned  to  flower, 
and 

The  birds  were  singing  as  ne'er  be- 
fore; 

They  trilled  and  warbled  till  the  hills 
resounded. 

And  all  the  world  appeared  to  welcome 
her. 

The  apparition  smiled  and  glided  up 
to  me. 

Quite  close  to  me.  Then  I  knelt  down 
before  her, 

And  finished  saying  my  second  Pater- 
noster. 

And  now  I  know  who  the  fair  vision 
was: 

The  Virgin  Mary  in  my  dream  I  saw, 

She  came  from  heaven  to  tell  me  God 

Will  send  me  wife  and  happiness. 

Nando 

You  think  that  wife  and  happiness  are 

one? 
Hear  what  I  tell  you :  between  the  two, 
A  bit  of  heaven  and  the  whole  of  hell 

you'll  find ! 
You'll  find  that  out  yourself.     Be  sure 

of  that! 

Pedro 

I  only  wonder 

From  which  direction  she  will  come  to 

me? 
Now  mark:  within  my  sling  a  stone  I 

now  am  placing. 
And  swinging  it  around.     My  eyes  are 

closed. 
And  where  the  stone  will  fall,  'tis  from 

that  side 
That  she  will  come  to  me. 

(He  throzvs  the  stone) 

Sebastiano's  Voice   (from  far 
heloiv  on  the  rigJit) 

Confound  you  fellows !    Don't  you  see 
That  some  one's  coming? 
This  stone  of  yours  had  very  nearly 
hit  me ! 

Nando 
Why,  who  comes  here? 


TIEFLAND 


Pedro 
What  do  I  care?    They  can't  want  me ! 

Naxdo   (looking  down  info  the 
hollozv) 

The  master's  coming !   Don  Sebastiano ! 
Surely  you  know  the  master?     What- 

e'er  you  see 
Belongs  to  him.     The  meadows,  pas- 
tures, corn  fields, 
The  wood  and  river,  herd  and  hut. 
The  village  yonder  and  the  mill  stream, 
Ev'rything  you  can  think  upon,  is  his. 
And  in  his  service  are  we  all,  we  shep- 
herds. 
Those  on  the  mountain-top  and  in  the 

valley. 
And  next  to  him,  that  is  the  elder 
Of  our  village.     Full  ninety  years 
Tommaso  carries  on  his  shoulders. 

Pedro  {rising  reluctantly) 

Into  my  hut  I'm  going.     If  they  wish 
For  aught  from  me,  then  let  them  come 
and  fetch  me. 
{He  slozvly  goes  up  to  the  hut) 

Nando  {looking  down  with  eager 
interest) 

And  with  the  men  there  is,   if   I   see 

right, 
A  comely  maiden!     What  can  they  be 

wanting  ? 

{He  laughs) 
Perhaps  the  Lord  has  kept  His  word 

and  sent 
A  wife  for  our  Pedro ! 

SCENE  II 
{Enter  Sebastiano,  Marta  and 

ToMMASo) 

Sebastiano 
Is  Pedro  not  here? 

Nando 
He  is  inside  his  cabin  yonder. 

Sebastiano 

Tommaso.  go  and  fetch  him  out.     {To 

Nando) 
And  you,  bring  us  bread  and  milk  and 

cheese. 
The  way  was  long,  and  I  am  hungry. 


(Tommaso  and  Nando  go  up  to  the 
hut,  which  Tommaso  enters.  Nando 
busies  himself  outside — fetches  milk, 
etc.) 

(Marta  and  Sebastiano  alone 
in  the  foreground) 

MarTa 
Tell  me  why  you  dragged  me  here  ? 

Sebastiano 

Leave  that  to  me!     Besides,  my  child, 
I  have  got  a  plan  for  you. 

Marta 

Tell  me,  sir,  for  Christ's  dear  sake. 
What  you  purpose. 

Sebastiano 

Have  no  fear ! 

You  have  always  served  me  truly. 
And  you  know  I  paid  you  well. 
As  a  beggar-maid  you  came 
Wand'ring  hither  with  that  ancient 
Scamp,  your  father. 
And  you  pleased  me. 
So  I  made  your  father  my  miller 
Just  to  win  your  heart,  my  beauty. 
Then  the  mill  I  gave  to  you 
And  made  you  mine  in  payment. 
That's  no  more  than  fair  and  equal. 

Marta 

Oh,  'tis  dreadful;  altho'  I  plead 

With  you  to  set  me  free, 

'Tis  in  vain.    You  are  the  master. 

Sebastiano 

Yes,  your  master !     And  as  such 
I  will  now  command  you : 

(Pedro  appears  above) 
Look  at  that  young  fellow  there ! 
Handsome,  eh,  and  young  and  hearty? 
Him  I  choose  to  be  your  husband. 

Marta  {shrinking  back  in  horror) 
Rather  will  I  leap  down  yonder ! 

Sebastiano 

Folly  !     Madness  !     Stay  a  bit. 
Wait  until  I  have  explained  it ! 
'Tis  no  idle  whim  of  mine; 
What  is,  that  has  to  be. 


TIEFLAND 


Marta 
Oh,  have  mercy ! 

Sebastiano 

Listen,  child, 

Just  because  I  wish  your  welfare 

I  choose  Pedro  for  your  husband. 

MarTa 

(Freeing  herself  from  Sebastiano, 

who  was  holding  her  hand) 

Let  go,  sir.     I  will  not,  will  not! 

Sebastiano 
Marta,  look  at  him  just  once! 

Marta 

No!     (She  zmenches  herself  free  and 

runs  off) 
(Pedro,    who    has    come    quite    close, 
stands  staring  at  her  open-mouthed) 

Pedro 
Holy  Virgin  !     Oh,  how  lovely ! 

SCENE  III 

Pedro,  Sebastiano,  Tommaso 

(Nando  has  brought  vessel  tvifh  milk, 
and  has  then  returned  to  the  hut, 
tvhere  he  busies  himself  unconcern- 
edly.) 

Sebastiano 

Well,  good  Pedro,  tell  me.  pray, 
Are  you  quite  content  here  ? 

Pedro 
Why,  indeed,  most  gracious  master. 

Sebastiano 
Don't  you  wish  for  something  better? 

Pedro 
Don't  see  how ! 

Sebastiano 

Shepherd  life  is  very  fine. 

But  you  surely  must  know  that 

There  are  better  things  than  that? 

Look  down  there  in  yonder  valley^ 

Stands  a  mill  of  mine. 

Will  you  not  be  miller  there? 


Pedro 

If  there's  corn  enough  to  grind 
Well,  why  not? 

Sebastiano 

And  besides  this,  you're  to  have 
The  miller's  maid  as  wife. 

Pedro 

If  the  damsel  pleases  me 
And  I  her,  I'll  not  say  no. 

Sebastiano 

Why,  you've  seen  her! 
Well,  will  she  do? 

Pedro 

Are  you  making  jest  of  me? 
Am  I  dreaming  still? 

Sebastiano 

Sit  down  here  and  hark  to  me : 

My  mill  requires  a  head 

Since  the  miller  died. 

My  choice  fell  on  you,  my  lad. 

If  you  care,  then  leave  your  hills. 

You  take  Marta  as  your  wife 

And  I  take  you  as  miller. 

Pedro 

Like  a  swarm  of  bees  all  your 
Words  are  buzzing  round  my  ears — 
Are  you  jesting?    Can  you  mean  it? 
May  I  thank  the  saints  in  heaven? 
Will  my  dream  be  realized? 

Tommaso 

Full  many  miles  from  here  I  dwell, 

Far  ofif  beyond  the  mountains. 

The  master  came  to  me. 

And  I  gave  him  your  name. 

Tho'  it  is  many  years  since  I  was  here, 

I  know  you  well. 

You  are  an  honfest  fellow  ! 

Say  yes,  my  son,  and  take  what  God 

has  sent  you, 
Your  master  means  you  well.     Thank 

him  for  this. 
May  God,   Who  seeth  ev'rything  and 

guides  us  all. 
Watch   over  your   new   dwelling,   and 

send  you 
Peace  and  plenty. 


TIEFLAND 


Sebastiano 
Your  hand  upon  it. 

Pedro 

Shall?     May  I? 

Do  you  think  she'll  have  me? 

Won't  she  object  that  I'm  too  plain  for 

her? 
She  may  say,  "No,  thanks !"  look  on 

me  with  scorn  ? 

Sebastiano 

Leave  that  to  me  to  answer  for ! 
'Twill  be  all  right. 

Pedro 

She  fled  at  sight  of  me. 

Sebastiano 

Women  are  like  that. 

Get  yourself  ready,  come  down  in  the 

valley. 
Tomorrow  is  your  wedding  day — 
All  preparations  I  have  made. 

Pedro 

Tomorrow?      So    much    luck    tomor- 
row? 

TOMMASO 

Good  luck  ne'er  comes  too  soon ! 
Now  it  is  here,  don't  let  it  go ! 

(Sebastiano  and  Tommaso 
prepare  to  depart) 

Sebastiano 

'Tis  settled  then;  I'll  wait  in  the  mill 
And  bring  your  wife  to  you. 


Pedro 


Tomorrow ! 


Tommaso 

God's  blessing  on  your  path ! 

(Exeunt  Sebastiano  and 
Tommaso) 


SCENE  IV 
Pedro     Nando 
Pedro 
Well,  did  you  hear? 
I've  got  a  wife,  a  gift  from  heaven. 
I'm  going  down 

Nando 
The  Lowland  tempts  you  ? 
The    houses    there    are   cramped,    the 

mountains  far, 
The  people  crowded  close  together. 
The  sun  himself  is  dull,  and  gray  the 

daylight. 
And  men  fight  and  nag  and  quarrel 
Without  ceasing.    The  Lowland  tempts 

you. 

Pedro 
'Tis  my  star  that  calls! 
See   that   our   flock  is   safe   until   our 

master 
Sends  up  another  shepherd  in  my  place. 
(Meamvliile  the  mists  have  dispersed 
and  the  sun  rises  in  full  glory  over 
the  glacier.) 
Now  one  last  greeting  to   my  moun- 
tains, 
I  know  you  ev'ry  one,  ev'ry  crag  and 

summit. 
And  ev'ry  chasm,  and  ev'ry  peaceful 

meadow. 
Here  did  I  bask  in  thy  golden  radiance, 

O  sun. 
Befriend  me  now,  and  shine  upon  my 

path. 

(Pedro  goes  down  the  path.    Al- 
ready half  behind  the  scenes) 
See  that  my  flock  is  safe ;  be  watchful, 

Nando ; 
Mind  that  the  wolf  does  not  come ! 
Look,  how  they're  flocking  and  crowd- 
ing around  me ! 
Farewell,  be  sure  that  down  below 
I'the  Lowland.  I  will  not  forget  you! 
Nor  you,  my  good  and  trusty  dog  1 
Farewell !      Think    too    of    me    some- 
times I 
(He  has  quite  disappeared  from  sight, 
his  voice  sounds  from  hcloiv,  grozv- 
ing  more  and  more  distant.) 
The  sun  is  shining  on  my  downward 

path. 
The  Lowland  calls  me! 

(His  voice  dies  away) 
The  curtain  falls 


s 


TIEFLAND 


ACT  ONE 

The  interior  of  the  mill.  On  the  right, 
the  big  mill  zvheel,  zvhich  is  not  work- 
ing. Above  it  a  very  roughly  con- 
structed -ivooden  trough  which  has 
■no  water  in  it.  On  the  left,  a  door 
approached  by  tzvo  staircases,  and 
hidden  by  a  curtain.  On  the  right, 
a  small  door.  In  the  background  the 
hitge  entrance  gate,  through  zvhich, 
when  it  is  open,  one  can  see  far  into 
the  landscape.  Far  on  the  horison 
tlie  outlines  of  the  glacier  of  the  Pre- 
lude can  be  distinctly  discerned. 
Above  the  gate  a  zvooden  gallery 
runs,  at  half  the  height  of  the  Pros- 
cenium. On  the  left,  in  front,  a  large 
hcartJi.  Sacks  of  corn,  millstones, 
etc..  lie  about.  Shortly  before  sun- 
set. MoRUCCio  alone  on  the  stage, 
busy  sieving  corn. 

The  curtain  rises 

SCENE  I 

MoRUCCio,  tlic  miller's  man,  Pepa, 
Antonia,  Rosalia,  come  rushing 
in. 

Pepa 

Tell  us  pray,  is  it  true? 

Antonia 

Is  it  really  true? 

ROSAUA 

Tell  us !     Speak  !     Do  answer ! 

Pepa 

Do  Ije  quick  and  answer ! 

Is  it  true  that  Marta's  marrying? 

i\IORUCCIO 

(Mcanzvhile  laconically  goes  on  empty- 
ing his  sieve  and  refilling  it  zvith 
fresh  corn.) 

"If  you  wait  till  the  church  doors  open 

You  will  see  the  bride." 

Pepa 

You're  to  answer  what  we  ask !     Don't 

you  hear? 
We  want  to  know.  .  . 

ROSAUA 

Whether  i\Iarta? 


Antonia 
Means  to  wed. 

Pepa 
Is  it  really  true? 

Rosaeia 
Or  just  a  rumor  ? 

Antonia 
Or  just  a  falsehood? 

Aee  Three 

Do  be  quick  and  tell  us ! 
Answer !     Quick !    Your  answer  I 

MoRuccio  {as  above) 
"If  you  wait  till  the  church  doors  open 
You  will  see  the  bride." 

Pepa 
Ah  !     You're  angry !     'Tis  no  wonder 
That  Marta  won't  have  you. 
You  would  like  to  be  the  miller ! 
It  is  close  upon  a  year 
Since  the  miller  went  away. 
But  yet  Alarta  won't  take  you. 

Antonia  and  Rosalia 
Won't  take  you! 

Pepa 
You're  too  old.  too  ugly. 
You're  a  crosspatch ! 

Antonia 
Grufif  and  surly ! 

Rosalia   ( coaxingly  ) 
If  we  beg  you  very  nicely, 
You'll  be  kind  and  tell  us,  won't  you? 

JMoRUCCio  {as  before) 
"If  you  wait  till  the  church  doors  open 
You  will  see  the  bride." 

Antonia 
You're  the  one  who's  waiting. 

Pepa 
Where  is  Marta? 

Rosalia 
Yes,  where  is  she? 

Antonia 
Is  she  in  the  mill  ? 

MoRuccio  {shrugs  Jiis  shoulders) 

Pepa 
Let  him  be,  the  surly  fellow. 


TIEFLAND 


SCENE  II 

{The  former.  Nuri  zvJw  enters  by  the 
gate  knitting  a  jersey.  She  remains 
standing  on  the  threshold.) 

Nuri 
Good  evening ! 
All  my  chicks  are  roosting  in  the  barn 

at  last 
And  are  safe  asleep. 
]\Iay  I  come  in  ? 


Antonia 


Yes,  come  in. 


Nuri 


And  you  promise  not  to  scold  me 

As  you  always  do 

When  I  come  to  see  ]\Iarta? 

She  loves  me  well, 

Better  than  you. 

Pepa 

Any  news  ? 

Antonia 
What's  the  latest? 

Rosalia 
Answer — speak  and  tell  us  ! 

Nuri   {absent  jnindedly) 
Why,  Vi^hat  can  I  have  to  tell  you? 

Pepa 
Have  you  seen  Tommaso? 

Nuri 

Yes,  I've  been  to  see  him. 
And  he  told  me  lots  of  things. 
Oh,  so  many,  and  so  lovely ! 

The  Three  Women 
Well  then,  tell  us  what? 

Nuri 
He  said  to  me  : 

Look  my  child,  all  that  you  can  see 
Here  as  far  as  sight  can  reach, 
Ev'rything  belongs  to  our  master, 
To  our  lord  Sebastiano. 
The  cottage  where  you  dwell, 
The  mill  beside  the  stream. 
My  cabin  on  the  mountain  side, 


The  manor- farm  with  turret  and  high 

roof 
Wherein  our  master  lives, 
All   that,    and   all   that   is    up    on    the 

heights 
And  in  the  vale  below, 
Ev'rything  belongs  to  our  master 
To  our  lord  Sebastiano. 

Antonia 
Why  there's  nothing  new  in  that ! 

Pepa 

Things   we've    known    since    we    were 
children. 

Nuri 

Wait  a  bit,  I  know  some  more — 

He  said  to  me : 

If  I  journey,  from  today  until 

Tomorrow  evening,  walking,  walking. 

On  and  on  without  a  stop. 

All  the  fields  and  all  the  forests. 

All  the  meadows  which  I  see 

Upon  my  journey, 

All  the  rivers,  all  the  brooklets, 

Ev'ry  waterfall, 

Ev'rything  belongs  to  our  master 

To  our  lord  Sebastiano 

And  if  I  catch  a  butterfly. 

At  liberty  I  have  to  set  it. 

For  it  too  belongs  to  our  master. 

And  if  a  lizard  runs  across  my  path, 

I've  no  right  to  chase  it. 

It  belongs  to  our  master. 

The  flowers  which  I'm  gathering 

Belong  to  him. 

The  liird  that  sings  in  the  shady  tree, 

And  the  eagle  that  circles  aloft, 

They  all  are  his. 

Ev'rything  belongs  to  our  master 

To  our  lord  Sebastiano. 

Pepa 
All  this  we  know  quite  well. 

Nuri 

I  didn't;  I  knew  it  not; 

And    Tommaso,    who    has    just    come 

down 
From  his  mountain  home 
He  knows  it  all. 

Pepa 
And  where  is  Tommaso  now? 


10 


TIEFLAND 


NURI 

With  the   master   he   has   climbed   up 

there, 
High  up  there,  where  there  are  glaciers 
Lying  close  beside  the  meadows. 
Tis  a  shepherd  lad  they  fetch. 
And  the  shepherd,  think — just  think — 

He  is  coming 

This  very  day.  is  coming  here 
To  wed  our  Marta. 

The  Women 
Now  at  last,  we've  got  the  truth! 

MORUCCIO 

(wlw  Jias  been  going  to  and  fro 
and  has  heard  all) 
To  the  devil  with  these  gossips, 
Now    they've    heard    the    news    they 
wanted ! 

Antonia 
What,  this  evening?     At  whose  com- 
mand? 

NURI 

Whose  command? 
Why  'twas  the  master. 
He  commands  and  is  obeyed. 
He  commanded  the  wedding 
Of  Marta  and  the  shepherd. 
(luiportanfly)    Long  ago  I  knew 
That  she  belong'd  to  our  master. 
What  that  meant  I  did  not  know. 

Antonia 
What's  that  you  say? 

NURI 

I  say,  what  I  heard  one  evening. 

Pepa 
Why  did  you  never  tell  us? 

NURI 

I  was  ashamed  to, 

Can  hardly  tell  you  why. 

The  Women 
Well,  then,  tell  us,  hurry,  speak ! 

NURI 

'Twas  on  a  summer  eve. 
The  moon  had   risen   behind  the   wil- 
lows. 
And  I  lay  resting  there. 
Well,  along  the  pathway 
Came  Marta  and  the  master. 
I  could  hear  that  she  was  crying, 


And  I  heard  how  she  said : 

"Yes,  I  know,  too  well  I  know 

That  I  am  yours ! 

Ne'er  shall  I  escape  from  you !" 

Oh,  she  sobbed  so  that  I  scarce 

Could  hear  what  she  was  saying. 

Then  the  master  said : 

"And  tho'  you  take  another  for  your 

husband 
And  tho'  I  take  another  wife, 
I'll  yet  be  thine  for  ever,  ever  thine !" 
I  heard  it  with  my  own  ears. 
She  was  crying  and  the  master  went 

on  whisp'ring. 
But  explain  to  me,  what  can  it  mean? 
How  can  the  master  say  to  ^Marta 
He  belongs  to  her? 
That  she's  his 
Is  quite  simple. 
For  I  know  he  owns  us  all. 
But  what  could  he  mean  by  saying: 
"I'm  ever  thine,  still  ever  thine?" 

Pepa 
'Tis  nought  to  you  what  he  could  mean 
by  it ! 

MoRUCCIO 

Be  quiet,  women,  here  she  comes ! 

SCENE  III 

The  above — Marta 

{The  Women  expect  Marta  to  enter 
by  the  curtained  door  and  keep  their 
eyes  fixed  on  this.  But  she  comes 
from  the  mill  and  through  the  door 
on  the  right.  With  drooping  head 
she  advances  to  the  center  of  the 
stage  without  perceiving  the  Women. 
As  soon,  hoivever,  as  she  becomes 
aware  of  their  presence,  she  hurries 
out  through  the  curtained  door.) 

NuRi 
Oh,  she  is  gone. 

Pepa 
Marta,  Marta,  won't  you  hear? 
Just  to  spite  you  we  will  come  and  see 
your  wedding. 

ROSAEIA 

Can  it  be  that  she  will  dare, 
How  can  she  dare  to  marry? 
Thus  to  enter  holy  wedlock? 

(Exit  MoRuccio  throng Ji  the 
gate  at  the  back) 


TIEFLAND 


11 


Antonia 
And  the  duffer  has  no  notion  ? 
What  a  donkey !  What  a  ninny ! 
No  idea  and  thinks — ha,  ha, 
Thinks  that  Marta — ha,  ha,  ha! 

(All  three  laugh) 

NURI 

Tell  me,  pray,  what  makes  you  laugh? 

Pepa 
Surely  weddings  should  be  merry ! 

Rosalia 
More  than  ever  this  wedding! 

Antonia 
Ev'rybody  will  be  laughing, 
When   they   hear   what    we've    to    tell 

them. 
That  our  Marta — ha,  ha,  ha ! 
And  the  shepherd — ha,  ha ! 
What  a  duffer ! 

Pepa 
And  we  all  of  us  are  coming 
As  a  bridal  escort  gay ! 


Mei 


Rosalia 
merry  we  will  make  it ! 


Marta 

{Appears  in  the  door  above  on  the 
left  crying  tvith  vexation) 
Oh,  go  away ! 
I  want  nobody  near  me? 

Pepa  {hypocritically) 
But,  my  dearie,  pretty  darling. 
Won't  you  tell  us  why ! 

Antonia 
As  we  know  it  all  already ! 

Marta 
Leave  me.  I  tell  you,  leave  me,  go! 

Rosalia 
Why,  we  only  came  here  darling 


Marta 

Go,  I  tell  you,  hurry,  quick ! 

{The  Women  do  not  stir.  Marta 
seises  their  baskets  ivhich  they  had 
set  doivn  on  the  ground  and  throws 
thevn  out  of  the  gate.) 

Out  with  them  and  with  you! 


Pepa 
Holy  Mother,  give  us  help. 

{Exeunt  all  the  Women) 

Nuri 
And  I,  must  I  go  also,  Marta? 
I'm  your  little  Nuri. 

Marta  {tenderly) 
You  dearie,  Nuri,  my  child? 
Come,  kiss  me  dear. 

Nuri 
Why  your  cheeks  are  wet  with  tears. 

Marta 

No,  no. 


Nuri 


Do  be  merrv ! 


Marta 
Oh,  for  the  merry  heart 
That  was  mine  when  a  child ! 
Nevermore  shall  I  be  glad! 
Nevermore  shall  I  be  merry! 

Nuri 
'Tis  your  wedding,  is  it  not? 

Marta  {bitterly) 

'Tis  my  wedding  .  .  .  Yes,  that  is 
so. 

Why  was  I  not  faithful  to  my  "No"? 

It  is  madness,  it  is  wicked,  this  mar- 
riage. 

How  unhappy  my  lot  is ! 

None  to  help  me,  none  to  give  me  aid ! 

Nuri 
I'll  stand  by  you,  Marta, 
I  am  with  you. 

Marta  {without  hearing  her) 
No  one  brings  me  aid  in  my  sore  need  1 
And  this  Pedro,  how  I  hate  him ! 
He  my  husband? 
No,  rather  will  I  die ! 
Peace  I  pray  for ! 
Nought  but  peace  I  pray  for! 

{A  voice  is  heard  outside) 
Go,  my  child,  that  is  Sebastiano. 
If  he  sees  me  weeping 
He'll  beat  me  I  fear. 

Nuri 
That  he  shall  not ! 


12 


T  I  E  F  L  A  X  D 


Marta 
Would  you  prevent  him? 
If  I  were  but  sure 
That  he  would  kill  me. 
I'd  be  weeping,  weeping  till     .     .     . 

NURI 

How  you  puzzle  me ! 

Who  dare  do  any  harm  to  you? 

Marta 
Go,  my  love,  and  ask  no  more — 
(PusJics  NuRi  out) 

SCENE  IV 

AIarta  (alone) 

His  am  I,  his! 

His  property ! 

Now  and  ever ! 

Oh,  that  he  had  cast  me  off ! 

Now,  I  shall  ne'er  escape  from  him, 

Never  again  be  free ! 

Holy  Mother  of  our  sorrows ! 

Wherefore  am  I  punished  so? 

Was  I  sinful,  was  I  bad? 

His  am  I,  his,  his  property. 

Why  this  torment? 

Why  this  suff'ring? 

Ah,  I'm  but  a  girl  and  weak, 

And  I  wandered  by  the  stream, 

Had  not  strength  to  take  the  plunge. 

Free  it  would  have  made  me — free  in 

death ! 
Ah,  but  I  was  weak  and  frail ! 
My   resistance   melts  away  before   his 

word ! 
His  am  I,  his  !    His  property  ! 
Holy  Mother,  Virgin  Mary, 
Help  me  in  my  hour  of  need ! 

(A  noise  from  zvithout) 
Can  they  be  coming  to  fetch  me? 
Can  it  be  that  lout. 
May  heaven  curse  him  ! 
I  will  not  see  him ! 

(Exits  quickly  into  her  room) 

SCENE  V 

Outside  before  the  open  gate 

The  Peasants 
He's  here ! 

NURI 

Where  ?     Show  me  where  ? 


Pepa 
Why,  down  the  hill,  can  }-ou  not  see? 

Rosalia 
The  bridegroom ! 

Antonia 
The  liridegroom ! 

(All  laugh  and  hurry  off 
tozcards  the  left] 

AIoRuccio  (drazvs  Tommaso 
into  the  center) 
Here,  Tommaso,  a  word ! 

Tommaso 
What  is  it,  friend? 

]\IORUCCIO 

Is   this   the    first  time   that   you   have 
come  hither? 

Tommaso 
The  first,  indeed  my  son — 
The    mountain's    lofty    summit    is    my 

home. 
And  in  this  vale  I  never  yet  set  foot. 

MORUCCIO 

But   Sebastiano  our   master,    him   you 
know  ? 

Tommaso 
A  righteous  master,  a  noble  lord, 
God  prosper  him ! 

]\IORUCCIO 

WHiy  then  you  do  not  know? 

Tommaso 
Know  what  ?     Explain  ! 

MORUCCIO 

There's  but  one  point  to  settle. 
Whether  Pedro  is  a  wicked  man 
Or  just  a  simple  fool. 

Tommaso 
What  is  your  meaning? 
Ah,  I  take  you  now ! 
This    Marta    has    slipped    thro'    your 

hands  ? 
You  wanted  her  yourself? 

MoRUCCIO 

The  Lord  preserve  me! 

Tommaso 
Explain  yourself  then. 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


13 


MORUCCIO 

That  is  quickly  done.     {He  sits  dozvn) 
She  and  her  father  came  as  beggars  to 

these  parts.     .     . 
The  devil  knows  whether  he  was  her 

father — 
A  lovely  child,  there's  no  denying. 
Our  lord  and  master  said  so  too,  lord 

Sebastiano. 
This  mill  he  gave  into  the  charge  of 

the  old  rascal. 
To  please  the  pretty  daughter, 
And  he  and  Marta — 
The  rest  you  can  supply  yourself. 

TOMMASO 

That  is  a  falsehood !  Must  be  false  I 
say ! 

MORUCCIO 

Nay,  let  me  finish  first. 

'Tis  well  that  you  should  learn 

Why  he  has  got  a  husband  for  her 
now : 

He's  badly  off.  is  lord  Sebastiano. 

The  noble  lord  has  debts — 

He  knows  not  where  to  turn — 

The  bailiffs  press, 

And  his  estate  goes  to  the  dogs 

Unless  some  help  be  found. 

This  help  a  wealthy  wife 

Alone  can  bring  him. 

But  he  can't  get  a  wife  till  he  has 

Silenced  all  the  gossip  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. 

The  time  has  come  when  he  must  break 
with  Marta. 

The  world  demands  it. 

And  therefore,  as  you  see, 

His  IMarta  has  to  wed  this  fool. 

ToMMASo  (rises) 
That  is  a  falsehood. 

MORUCCIO 

Find  me  a  man  down  here 
Who  does  not  know  it ! 

ToMMASO 

I  won't  believe 

MoRuccio 
If  you're  an  honest  man,  you  must  de- 
spise 
All  three  as  I  do. 

ToMMASO 

Despica1)le  rogue ! 


MoRUCCIO 

W^ell,  then,  I  see  you're  not  an  honest 
man. 

(As  they  are  both  on  the  point  of  as- 
saulting each  other  zvith  tJieir  sticks, 
the  noise  of  the  crozvd  outside  is 
heard  and  they  pause.) 

SCENE  VI 

(Pedro,  Moruccio,  Nuri,  Axtonia, 
Rosalia,  Pepa,  Men  and  Women, 
noise  and  crozvd.  The  dusk  gradu- 
ally deepens  into  night.) 

Pepa  (outside  the  gate) 
He's  coming,  hurry ! 

Rosalia 
Pedro  comes. 

Antonia 
The  Ijridegroom. 

Several  \'oices 
Long  life  to  him ! 

Pedro   (in  the  gafczcay) 
Yes,  yes,  here  I  am. 
Like  a  chamois   fleet  down   from  the 

mountain 
I  bounded  here. 
Here  I  am ! 
But  where  is  she? 
Where  is  my  sweetheart,  my  bride? 

Pepa  (calling) 
Marta !    Marta ! 

Antonia 
\A'on't   you   come    out?      Your    bride- 
groom has  arrived. 

Pedro 

(They  all  crozvd  laughingly 

around  him) 

O  Lord  Almighty  !     All  these  people ! 

And  all  the  people  here  are  merry ; 

One  might  imagine  the  whole  lot  were 

marrying ! 
Do  you  know  Alarta  ? 
Of  course!     She  is  pretty,  is  she  not? 

Pepa  (ironically) 
Pretty  and  fresh ! 

Antonia 
Fresh  as  a  rosebud  ! 


14 


TIEFLAND 


Rosalia 
I  wish  you  ev'ry  joy! 

Pedro 

I  thank  you  all. 
I  scarce  can  think  it  true, 
That  such  good  luck  is  mine. 
Why  just  think  !    She  will  be  my  wife ! 
I  Before  my  eyes,  bright  as  a  rainbow 

vision,  the  world  is  dancing. 
With  happiness  my  heart  will  burst. 
Marta  is  mine,  my  wife  this  very  day. 

TOMMASO    (to  MORUCCIO) 

How  could  you  imagine  that  Sebastia- 
no?    .     .     . 

MoRUCCIO 

If  you're  curious  to  know,  just  ask  him. 
Your    lord     Sebastiano.       Look,    he's 
coming  now. 

SCENE  VII 

(The  above.  Sebastiano — afterzvards 
Marta,  Nuri,  Rosalia,  Antonia, 
Pepa.) 

Nuri 
The  master's  coming !     Our  owner  and 
master. 

(Enter  Sebastiano) 

Sebastiano 
Has  Pedro  not  arrived? 

Pedro 
Yes,  here  I  am ;  I'm  here,  my  lord ! 
Let  me  kiss  your  hands  most  humbly. 

Sebastiano 
No,  no!     And  where  is  Marta? 

Pepa 
In  her  chamber,  master. 

Sebastiano 
Then  go  and  fetch  her  out. 

(Pepa  ojf  to  the  left) 

Sebastiano  (to  Pedro) 
To  ev'rything  I've  seen,  the  priest  is  on 

his  way, 
And  in  an  hour  you  will  be  man  and 

wife — 
A   vow,   a   blessing,   and   the   thing   is 

over. 


Pedro 
O  master,  sir,  how  can  I  ever  thank 
you? 

Pepa  (coming  back  from  Marta's 
room ) 
She'll  soon  be  coming,  Marta  bids  me 
tell  you. 

Sebastiano 
What's  that  you  tell  me?     Soon  she'll 

be  coming? 
Without  delay  she  must  be  here  when 
I  am  calling. 

(He  goes  to  the  foot  of  the 
stairs  and  calls  up) 
Marta ! 

ToMMASO  (following  Jiiui) 
Sir,  I  would  speak  with  you, 
There's  something  weighing  heavily  on 
my  mind. 

Sebastiano 
What   do   I   care   what's   weighing   on 

your  mind  ? 
Another  time. 

ToMMASO 

To  save  my  peace  of  mind !     Let  it  be 
now. 
(At  this  moment  Marta  appears  at 
the  head  of  the  stairs) 

Sebastiano 
At  last.  then.     (Vexed,  to  Tommaso.) 
Later,  later ! 

Marta  (coining  down) 
I'm  here,  my  lord,  at  your  command  ! 
(She  comes  quite  close  to 
Sebastiano,  softly) 

Oh,  spare  me  this !     Oh,  for  the  love 

of  heav'n 
Have  pity  on  my  misery ! 

Sebastiano  (aloud) 
You  are  not  merry,  Marta ! 
Look  at  your   Pedro  now;  he  knows 
when  he  is  lucky ! 

Nuri 
Oh,  look,  poor  Marta's  crying. 

The  Women 
She's  crying,  unhappy  child. 


TIEFLAND 


15 


Marta 

(Quickly  wiping  away  the  tears) 

Who  says  so?     Who?     Who  saw  me 

crying  ? 
The    master    commands  —  and    I    am 

merry. 
Look!     I'm  laughing. 

Pedro 
Xhat    is    all    right.      There's    nothing 

merrier 
Than  a  wedding.    Eh,  good  people  ? 
{They  all  laugh.    To  Marta) 
How  ev'ryone  rejoices  in  our  joy! 
You  only  have  not  said  a  word  to  me. 
A  single  word !     Speak  to  me  then  ! 

Marta 
We  must  be  going. 

Sebastiano  {pointing  to  Pedro's  coat) 
Who  ever  saw  a  bridegroom 
In  rags  and  tatters  and  in  ribbons  ? 
I've  ordered  a  garment  for  you,  lad. 
You  must  look  smart  and  well  attir'd. 
An  elegant  young  man,  a  dandy  you 

shall  be. 
'Tis  fitting  surely  for  a  bridegroom. 

The  Men   {laughing) 
An  elegant  young  man 

The  Women 
A  dandy! 

Pedro 

A  dandy?     What  is  that? 

Rosalia 
A  dandy  is  a  fop. 

Pedro 
What  is  a  fop? 

{All  laugh  louder) 
Do  you  laugh  at  me? 
I  don't  advise  it ! 

With  these  good  fists  I'll  go  for  any 
fellow  who  will  dare. 

{He  seises  hold  of  a  lad) 
What  is  a  fop  ?    I  ask  you ! 
{The  Women  shriek.     It  looks  as  if 
there  were  going  to  be  a  big  fight) 

Marta 
The  lazy  cowards  !    They  let  this  yokel 
give  them  all  a  beating. 

Sebastiano 
Pedro ! 


Pedro 
{Suddenly  calming  dottm.     The 
excitement  ceases) 
Why  I  had  almost  lost  my  temper. 

Sebastiano 
Go  and  put  on  your  new  garments,  and 

get  you  ready, 
I  see  the  priest  approaching. 

Pedro 
You  come  along,  help  to  adorn  me ; 
We  will  be  merry  and  laugh  today — 
Is  it  not  my  wedding  day,  my  happy 

day? 
Let  us  be  glad  ! 

{Exeunt  the  Men,  with  Pedro 
on  the  right) 

Pepa  {to  the  Women) 
Come    with    me.      We'll    watch    from 
here. 

The  Women 

We'll  watch  from  here. 

{Exeunt  through  the  gate.  At  this  mo- 
tnent  the  Priest  appears  in  the  gate- 
way. The  Women  curtesy  rever- 
ently. ) 

Tommaso  {to  Sebastiano) 
I  want  to  speak  to  you;  'tis  most  im- 
portant. 

Sebastiano  {impatiently) 
Well,  wait  for  us  out  there,  if  it's  so 

pressing, 
I'll  come  at  once. 

Tommaso 
I  shall  await  you,  sir. 

{Exit) 
{The  Priest  has  advanced  and  is  nozv 
standing  in  front  of  Sebastiano) 

Sebastiano 
Reverend  sir,  you  come  to   fetch  the 

bridal  pair. 
I  have  to  see  the  bride  a  moment. 
Go   in   advance   and   I    will    send   the 

happy  couple  on. 
As    soon    as    they    have    reached    the 

chapel,  proceed 
And  do  not  wait  my  coming. 
Join  them  together.     May  heaven  send 

blessings 
On  their  union. 

{Exit  the  Priest) 


16 


TIEFLAND 


SCENE  VIII 
'  Marta,  Se;bastiano 

(During  the  zvhole  last  scene  MarTa 
has  been  sitting  apathetically  on  a 
millstone  in  the  background.  Now 
that  the  stage  is  empty,  Sebastiano 
looks  at  her  in  silence  for  a  mo- 
ment.) 

Sebastiano 
Marta ! 

Marta 
Do  with  me  what  you  will,  but  spare 

me  this, 
Don't  give  me  to  this  fellow. 

Sebastiano  (derisively) 
Another  man  might  suit  you  better ! 
An  elegant  soft-spoken  gentleman, 
Who  warbles  sweet  songs  with  senti- 
mental grimaces ! 
And  of  me  you  would  fain  be  rid. 

Have  I  not  guessed  it? 
Forgotten  are  the  benefits  I  lavish'd  on 

you. 
This  is  the  thanks  for  my  devotion! 
(He  zvants  to  caress  her,  but  she 
turns  azvay  with  repugnance) 
You  know  me  not.     I  will  not  stand 

defiance, 
Mine  now — mine  always  ! 
A<rtd  no  other  will  you  dare  to  have  but 

mine !  * 
Come  here !    Come  here,  do  you  hear  ? 
(He    makes   a    threatening   gesture. 
Wlicn  he  sees  that  she  is  going  to 
obey  Ills  order,  he  bursts  out  laugh- 
ing.) 
Tell  me,  my  child,  Pedro  fills  you  with 
horror. 

Marta 
I  cannot  tell  you  with  what  horror. 

Sebastiano 
That  is  all  right,  just  as  I  want  it. 
All  is  going  just  as  I  wished  it. 
Would  I  tolerate  this  marriage,  think 

you, 
If  you  like  the  bridegroom? 

Marta 
Oh,  can  there  be  a  man  so  vile 
Who  knows  what  I  am  and  yet  takes 

me ! 
You  paid  him  for  this,  the  scoundrel — 


Shame   on   him!      (Collapsing   at   the 

table) 
Shame  on  me  I 

(Loud  laughter  heard  outside) 

Sebastiano    (zmth   restrained   ardor) 
Your  love  will  soon  make  amends  for 

all. 
Your  love  for  me  I     Is  that  not  so  ? 

Marta 
Leave  me,  for  you  frighten  me ! 

Sebastiano 
You  know  it,  Marta,  you  know  it  well, 
I  love  nothing  in  the  world  but  you — 
Leave  you  I  never  will. 
And  if  I  give  you  to  another  man, 
'Tis  merely  done  because  I  must. 
My    affection,    my    joy — harsh    gossip 

looks  askance  at  it! 
To  silence  evil  tongues  you'll  marry 
Pedro — and  all  remains  unaltered ! 
For  mine  you  are,   and   I   will  never 

leave  you ! 
I  love  you  now  and  I  will  always  love 

you! 
I  long  for  you  and  cannot  live  without 

you. 
I  claim  you  mine,  and  you  shall  not 

escape. 

Marta 
I'm  frightened  of  you,  sir. 

Sebastiano 
You're  not  to   be  afraid ;  you  are  to 
love  me ! 

Marta  (repulsing  him) 
Sebastiano ! 

Sebastiano 
You  know   me   not !     Take  care,  you 

know  me  not ! 
I  suffer  no  resistance,   for  none  have 
dared  to  cross  me. 
(Loud  laugliter  heard  outside) 
Then  you  will  go  to  church  ? 

Marta 
Yes. 

Sebastiano 
And  you  will  marry  Pedro? 

Marta 
Yes. 

Sebastiano 
And  still  me  mine? 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


17 


Marta  (shrmking  away  from  him) 
No,  no! 

{Rcncivcd  laughter  outside) 

]\Iarta  involuntarily  seeks  refuge 
close  to  Sebastiano) 
Hark,  they're  coming  now. 
They're  coming  now  to  fetch  me ! 

Sebastiano  {laughs  triumphantly) 
That  is  right,  that  does  me  good, 
From  him — you  fly  to  me ! 

SCENE  IX 

Rosalia.  Antonia,  Pepa,  Nuri.  Men 
and  Women  come  on — afterwards 

TOMMASO 

The  Men 
He  will  not  be  a  fop ! 

The  Women 

He  will  not  wear  the  clothes  you  gave 

him. 

Pedro 
You  shall  not  make  a  dressed  up  fool 

of  me! 
Let  him  who  likes  put  on  this  fin'ry, 
I  won't.     My  shabby  jacket  here  suits 

me  far  better. 

Sebastiano 
Well,  as  you  like.     You  can  be  wed 

just  as  you  are. 
Marta.  take  your  mantilla. 

Marta 
Yes,  sir,  I  am  quite  ready. 

{Softly  to  Sebastiano) 
And  all  is  o'er  between  us  two. 

Sebastiano  {softly  to  Marta) 
Really  ?    You'll  find  you're  wrong. 
Tonight  I'm  coming  to  you. 
If  in  your  room  you  see  a  light 
You'll  know  I  am  there. 

Nuri 
Here.  Marta,  your  mantilla. 

(ToMMASo  comes  in  by  the  gate) 

Marta 
'Tis  you,  Nuri,  my  little  friend, 
Who  brings  me  my  mantilla. 

Nuri 
Oh,  say,  Marta,  you  love  me  now 
And  ahvays  will. 


Marta 
Yes,  my  child. 

{To  Sebastiano) 
Look  here,  a  child,  an  innocent  child, 

like  Nuri 
I  was  once  myself. 
Thus  to  this  mill  I  once  came  hither. 

Sebastiano  {shrugs  his  shoulders) 

Come  on  to  the  chapel. 

{Outside,  before  the  gate,  zuhich  is 
wide  open,  the  procession  begins  to 
form.  Some  Men  carry  torches. 
Marta,  leaning  on  Nuri,  goes  to- 
zvards  the  exit,  where  Pedro  is 
awaiting  her.  Men  and  Women 
crowd  after  her.) 

ToMMAso  {to  Sebastiano) 
I  must  speak  to  you,  sir; 
They  must  not  marry 
Until  you  have  answered  my  question. 

Sebastiano  {to  Tommaso) 
What  is  it  that  you  want  of  me? 

{To  the  departing  people) 
Go,  friends,  go ;  I'll  follow  on. 

{Clearing  the  zifay  in  the 
background) 

Pedro 
Ohe  !    Oflf  with  you ! 
Hi,  there!  my  lambkins,  make  way. 
Let  me  walk  beside  my  Marta,  please! 
Now,  then,  hi ! 

{Amidst  laughter  and  jodeling 
they  all  go  off  in  disorder) 

SCENE  X 
Sebastiano,  Tommaso,  Moruccio 

Sebastiano 
Well,  what  is  it,  JMoruccio? 
Are  you  not  going  to  the  church? 

Moruccio 
No  pow'r  on  earth  shall  make  me  go. 

Sebastiano 
Why  ever  not?    Your  reason — 

Moruccio 
I  will  not;  that  must  satisfy  you. 

Sebastiano 
Then  let  it  satisfy  you  if  I  tell  you. 
Pack  your  bundle  and  be  off  I 


18 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


MORUCCIO 

Right  gladly,  too. 

{He  goes  to  the  background,  where  he 
spreads  out  his  mania,  a  sort  of 
shazvl  zifith  a  colored  pattern,  collects 
his  tools,  zvhich  are  scattered  about 
the  stage,  and  lays  them  in  it.) 

SEBASTIANO    {to    TOMMASO) 

And  now  for  you ! 

ToMMASO 

Such  curious  rumors  came  to  my  ears 
Of  you  and  Marta.  and  I  can't  believe 

them. 
Why,   it   would  be   dishonest   to   poor 

Pedro, 
Who  has  no  notion  what  the  folk  are 

saying. 

Sebastiano 
Why   do   you    stop    to    listen    to    silly 

rumors  ? 
The  people  gossip,  let  them  gossip. 
No  word  of  all  they  say  is  true. 

ToMMASo  {clencJiing  Jiis  fist  at 

AIORUCCIO) 

I  thought  as  much,  you  vagabond, 
You  scamp,  you  liar ! 

Sebastiano 
He  told  you  that?     Be  off,  scoundrel! 
Outside  with  you,  or  you  will  rue  it ! 
I'll  have  you  hounded  like  a  dog  from 
out  the  country. 

MORUCCIO 

{ready  to  start,  scans  him  from 
head  to  foot) 
Me?     Just   let   me   see   if   you   would 
dare ! 

ToMMASO 

How  can  you  dare  speak  so  to  your 
master  ? 

MoRUCCIO 

My  master  ?     He's  that  no  more — 
I  would  that  he  had  never  been  it. 

Sebastiano 
Be  off! 

MoRUCCIO 

I'm  going  now.     But  ere  I  go, 

Let  me  repeat  the  honest  truth  before 

Tommaso, 
That  he  may  know,  which  of  us  two  is 

the  liar  here. 


'Tis  you  that  lie !    Think  you  I  did  not 

see 
How  ev'ry  night  you  stole  to  Marta's 

room  ? 
Think  you  I  do  not  know 
Why  you  are  forcing  Marta 
To  take  this  fool  as  husband? 
The  truth  I'm  speaking.    See !   I  lift  up 

my  hand, 
And  swear  it  by  the  soul  of  my  dead 

mother. 
That  'tis  the  truth  I'm  speaking. 
Your  mother,  too,  lies  in  her  grave. 
Then,  swear  as  I  do, 
I f  you  dare ! 

Sebastiano 
Heed  not  his  words  ! 

Tommaso 
Holy  Virgin,  help ! 
I  see  it  now. 
It  may  not  be ! 
I'll  hasten  to  the  chapel. 
And  I'll  say.  No! 

{At  this  moment  the  chapel 
bells  begin  to  peal) 
The  bells  are  ringing. 
Oh,  it  is  too  late ! 

(To  Sebastiano) 
Oh,  what  have  you  done? 
What  have  you  done? 

Sebastiano 
What's  done  is  past  undoing. 
So  calm  yourself  and — good  night. 

{Exit) 
Tommaso 
O  my  God,  forgive  me  for  this  unin- 
tended infamy ! 

MoRUCCIO 

{Tapping  him  on  the  shoulder) 
I'm  going,  will  you  come?     I'm  going 

Up  to  my  mountains  I'm  returning. 
Where  I  can  see  the  sky  and  grassy 

meadows. 
Far,  far  from  people.    Will  you  come  ? 

Tommaso 
Oh,  would  that  Pedro  never  had  come 
hither ! 

MoRuccio   {in  the  gatezvay) 

Will  you  come? 

{From   afar   the   procession    is   heard 

approaching    zvith    cries    of    "Long 

live  the  happy  pair.") 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


19 


TOMMASO 

Oh,  what  disgrace  and  scandal! 

I  cannot  see  them, 

I  cannot,  will  not !    Hence ! 

(Both  go  off) 

SCENE  XI 

(The  stage  remains  empty  a  moment, 
then  the  procession  is  heard  ap- 
proaching. Marta  comes  on  the 
stage.  Pedro  remains  standing  in 
the  gateway,  zvaving  farewells  to  the 
passers-by. ) 

Pedro 
The  wedding  day  is  o'er. 
Good  comrades,  get  you  home ! 
Farewell !     Let  ev'ry  sheep  rest  in  its 

fold  !     Good  night ! 
Now  run  away !     Be  gone  ! 
This  way  the  ewes,  that  way  the  rams ! 
Hi !     How  they're  swarming  down  the 

hill ! 

A  Voice  erom  Outside 
Make  fast  the  gate  and  lock  yourselves 
in !     Sleep  well ! 

(Loud  laughter  outside,  the 
voices  die  away) 

Pedro  (calling  after  them) 
May  heaven  be  with  you. 
(He  locks  the  gate  and  comes  to  the 

front.     Marta  is  sitting  zvith  bowed 

head  at  the  table.) 

Pedro 

The  gate  is  closed — 

We  are  alone — 

Now    speak    to    me,    just    one    word, 

Marta,   my   love, 
Ah,  I  know  a  better  word  than  that ! 
Marta,  my  wife. 

Marta 
What  is  it?     Leave  me  alone — 

Pedro 

Why,  what  is  wrong? 
Come  here,  sit  by  my  side ! 

(He  sits  doz^m  on  the  ground 
and  laughs) 
Now  let  us  be  cosy. 
(He    coaxes    her,    as   shepherds    coax 
their  sheep,  and  then  laughs  to  him- 
self in  childlike  glee.) 
I'm  waiting,  come ! 


Marta  (remains  sitting  motionless) 
Leave  me ! 

Pedro 

Listen,   sweetheart,   even  if   I   am  but 
rough. 

You  are  not  gracious. 

Wait  a  minute,  I  will  punish  you. 

I  had  something  to  tell  you,  and  now 
I  shall  not — 

(He  stands  behind  her  and  collects 
money  from  his  pockets.  Then  he 
fetches  out  a  little  handkerchief  from 
his  breast-pocket  containing  some 
silver  coins.) 

(To  himself) 

I  have  a  little  present  to  surprise  her ! 

'Tis  nice  and  heavy! 

(He  softly  drazvs  close  to  Marta  and 
laughs  quietly  to  himself.  When  he 
is  close  behind  her,  he  touches  her 
head  and  her  slioulder  zvith  one  fin- 
ger, and  imitates  the  cuckoo.) 

Cuckoo ! 

Marta   (shrinks  back  startled) 

How  could  you?     Is  that  your  idea  of 
joking? 

Pedro  (laughing) 

Do  not  be  cross ! 

(He  has  taken  the  silver  coins  from 
his    handkerchief    and    now   stands, 
holding    them    azukzvardly    in    his 
hands.) 
Give  me  your  hand  a  moment. 

(Pause.    SJic  takes  no  notice) 
Marta,  your  hand ! 

(He  offers  her  the  money) 

Marta 
(Takes  no  notice  zvhatever  of  his  hand 

and  crosses  over  to  the  other  side) 
Stop  all  this  nonsense !     I  am  not  in 

the  mood  for  laughing. 
It  is  late,  'tis  bed  time,  Pedro. 

Pedro 

You  self-willed  child !    What  can  I  do  ? 
[He  spreads  out  the  handkerchief 
on  the  ground) 
Look  here,  this  is  a  dollar. 
The  first  I  ever  earned  myself. 
And  that's  my  blood.     Ha,  ha! 

(He  laughs) 


20 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


The  master,  lord  Sebastiano,  the  noble 

lord, 
Gave  me  this  dollar. 
God's  blessing  on  the  worthy  man. 
Do   take   the   dollar   then!      Don't   be 

afraid ! 
'Tis  money  fairly  earned. 

Marta 
(Motions  away  his  hand,  but  this 
time  zvithout  repugnance) 
No,  no,  I  will  not. 

Pedro 

You  think  perhaps  I  earned  it  easily? 
My  Hfe  I  ventured  for  it,  yes,  my  life! 
For  ev'ry  night  a  cruel  wolf  attacked 

our  fold 
And  captured  a  lambkin, 
Our  finest  dog  he  mangled, 
It  almost  drove  me  crazy! 
I  was  furious,  ill,  and  nigh  despairing ; 
To  myself  I  said : 

That  wolf  ril  do  for,  and  if  I  die  f or't ! 
So  I  lie  down  one  night 
And  hide  myself  in  the  boulders 
And  wait  for  him. 
The  grizzly  thief,  the  wicked  wolf 
He  was  not  to  escape  me — 

(Marta  begins  to  pay  attention) 

So  there  I  lay  on  the  alert, 

Quite  hidden  in  my  corner — 

The  hours  passed  by,  and  o'er  my  head 

The  stars  began  to  vanish. 

And  from  the  snowfield 

I  heard  the  water  dripping. 

Then  ev'rything  was  still,  quite  still. 

A  sudden  rushing  in  the  grass, 

A  sudden  leap  close  o'er  my  head. 

And  it  is  gone. 

I  felt  a  burning  breath  upon  my  neck. 

That  was  the  wolf. 

The   sheepdog  barks,   the   lambs   start 

bleating, 
I  jump  up  and  draw  my  knife, 
And  as  I  stand  with  weapon  ready 
I  see  good  master  wolf  trot  by. 
— The  grizzly  thief,  the  wicked  wolf, — 
A  bleeding  lamb  in  his  mouth. 
Now  swift  as  thought  I  spring  at  the 

beast. 
My  knife  is  in  his  heart. 
What  happened  then,   I   really  hardly 

know. 
I  held  him  closely  locked  as  he  did  me. 
He  bellowed  and  I  yelled. 


I  hit  him  and  I  felt 

How  his  pointed  teeth  were  tearing  my 

flesh  to  pieces. 
Thus  locked  together  down  the  hill  we 

roll, 
A  shapeless  raging  bundle, 
Two  savage  wild  beasts 
Who  fight  for  their  lives  in  frenzy.    .  , 
And  so  we  roll  together  in  the  torrent. 

(Marta  listens  zvitJi  grozving  , 
interest) 
They  brought  me  home  into  my  cabin. 
Attended  to  my  wounds— — 
There  did  I  lie  for  many  weeks 
In  sorry  plight. 
At  last  one  day,  when  in  the  sunshine 

I  was  sitting 
The  master  climb'd  the  hill  to  visit  me 
And  he  gave  me  this  dollar. 
And  when  I  was  about  to  kiss  his  hand, 
Out  of  my  scarcely  healed-up  wound 
My  blood  welled  forth,  and  dyed  the 

dollar  red. 
That  silver  piece  was  hardly  earned  not 

so? 

Marta  (touched) 
'Tis   growing  late.     To   rest   we   now 

must  go. 

Pedro 
Then  take  the  money,  I  give  it  you — 

Marta 
No,  no,  indeed  I  can't. 
And  now,  good  night ! 
This  is  the  way  to  your  room — go — 
(She  points  to  the  right) 

Pedro 
The  way  to  my  room  ? 
'Tis  your  turn  to  joke? 
The  way  to  our  room  must  be  there. 
(He  points  to  the  left) 

]\Iarta 
'Tis  not  a  joke,  leave  me  alone. 

Pedro 
You  wish.     .     .    that  I.     .     . 
You  really  mean  it? 

Marta  (in  confusion) 
Oh,  force  me  not  to  speak. 
Else  I  must  tell  you 
The  load  that  on  my  heart  is  weighing ; 
I  will  be  silent,  or  else  I  must  tell  you 
How  you  have  treated  me.     You  know 

it  well : 
Vile  it  was,  and  shameful  ? 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


21 


Perdo  (nonplussed) 

What's  that  you  say  ?    Whatever  have 

I  done? 
And  by  what  right  do  you  speak  so  to 

me? 
What  do  you  say  I  know? 

JMarTa  (full  of  sJiaiiic) 
What  they  tokl  you. 

Pedro 
Told  me  ?    They  told  me  nothing ! 

Marta 

.vm  I  to  be  disgraced  and  forced  to  re- 
peat it? 
For  yovi  must  know  it, 
You  must  know  what  you  did 
When  you  agreed  to  marry  me. 

Pedro 

What  I  did?  Why  yes,  I  know  it 
well — 

When  Love  called  me,  I  ran  to  seize  it ! 

And  I  will  hold  it,  and  will  prize  it 

As  long  as  breath  and  life  remain ! 

There's  nought  I  love  on  earth  but  only 
you ! 

And  this  shall  be  my  only  care: 

Your  happiness,  your  happiness ! 

(At  this  moment  a  light  appears  be- 
hind the  curtain  zvJiich  conceals 
Marta's  door.) 

Marta   (horror-struck) 

O,  Holy  Virgin,  lend  me  aid! 
He  dares  to  come. 

'Pedro  (surprised) 

A  light?     Within  your  room  a  light? 
We  are  not  alone ! 

Marta  (fries  to  conceal  her  terror) 
No  one  is  here. 

Pedro 
And  I  tell  you,  I  am  not  mistaken. 
(He  looks  in  Jiis  pocket  for  his  knife, 
and  goes  towards  the  door) 

MarTa   (stops  him) 

No  one  is  there — The  light  inside  my 

chamber 

I  mvself  have  lighted. 


Pedro 
That  cannot  be — It  was  not  there 
When  we  came  here  this  evening. 

(The  light  disappears) 
See,  'tis  extinguished  now. 

Marta 
You're  dazed,  or  you  are  dreaming. 

Pedro 
Did  you  not  say  yourself  just  now 
There  was  a  light  within  your  room? 
Now  it  is  gone. 

Marta 
You  dream,  for  I  saw  nothing  there. 

Pedro 
You  saw  no  light? 

]\Iarta 
No,  I  repeat,  you  must  have  dreamed; 
There  was  no  light  within  my  chamber. 

Pedro  (looking  at  her  doubtfully) 
I'm  dreaming  it? 

Marta  (to  herself) 
How  dare  he  this  evening? 

Pedro  (confused  to  himself) 
I  did  not  see  a  light? 
It  was  a  dream? 

Marta 
(Sits  dozvn  on  a  chair,  and  rests 
her  chin  on  the  back  of  it) 
I  mean  to  spend  the  night  in  here. 

(Pointing  to  the  door  on 
the  right) 
I  told  you  once  before,  'tis  bedtime. 

Pedro 

I  heard  you.    Aly  room  on  that  side 

And  yours But  I'm  not  going  yet. 

(He  sits  dozvn  on  the  ground,  and 
gradually  stretches  himself  out) 

Marta  (to  herself) 

My  throbbing  head  is  all  confused 

(In  great  distress) 

Heartless  he  was  always,  and  cruel. 
But  ne'er  would  I  have  thought 
That  he  could  be  so  wicked. 

(Dejectedly) 

And  this  unhappy  lad,  he  thinks  I  do 

not  see 
Or  notice  him  at  all. 


22 


TIEFLAND 


Pedro 
{Sadly,  almost  in  tears,  hut  resigned) 
What  shall  I  do?    I  cannot  tell. 
Ah,  well,  I'll  wait!     I'll  think  I  am 
Sleeping  up  there  on  the  mountain. 
I  shall  be  near  to  you  at  least. 

{He  creeps  unobserved  close 
to  Marta) 
And  now  one  Paternoster 
For  my  beloved  parents, 
Who  are  up  in  heaven 
With  Cxod. 
Tonight  the  second  Paternoster  I  will 

not  say, 
For  a  wife  I  have  at  last, 
Whom  heav'n  has  sent  to  me. 

Marta 
Have  pity.  Lord  Almighty, 
How  fearful  is  Thy  punishment ! 

Pedro  {half  asleep) 
Rest  all  around  us.   Peace  ev'rywhere — 
The  wolf  won't  come  tonight.     No — 

no — 
{As  he  is  moving  his  lips  in  his  sleep, 
as  thoxigh  to  speak,  the  curtain  slozv- 
ly  falls.) 


ACT  II 

TJic  same  scene  of  action  as  in  Act  I 

SCENE  I 
(Marta  and  Pedro  are  sitting  in  the 
same  position  as  at  the  end  of  Act 
I.     Dawn.) 

NuRi  {behind  the  scenes) 

The  stars  have  gone  to  their  rest. 

For  they  must  sleep  awhile. 

Dawn  greets  the  world  with  a  smile. 

(Marta  has  awakened.  She  glances 
at  Pedro,  who  is  still  asleep,  and 
then  goes  to  the  hack.  She  busies 
herself  in  the  house,  and  then  disap- 
pears, during  Nuri's  song,  into  her 
room.) 

NuRi   {continuing) 
Hearts  must  be  light  and  gay 
When  sunshine  gilds  the  day. 
The  world  is  brave,  the  world  is  fair, 
The  sun  with  happiness  fills  the  air. 
I  wish  I  could  kiss  ev'ry  golden  ray. 
But  kiss  it,  nav,  'tis  too  far  awav — 


It  is  so  far,  and  I  am  so  small — 

A  poor  little  maiden  after  all. 

{With  the  last  xvords  Nuri  enters  by 

the  middle  door.     She  is  knitting  a 

woolen  jersey.) 
Good  morrow,  Pedro ! 


Marta ! 


Pedro  {aivaking) 


Nuri  {laughing) 
'Tis  not  your  Marta, 
Only  I. 

Pedro 

And  where  is  Marta ! 

Nuri 
Why  ask  of  me? 
Are  you  not  Marta's  husband? 
And  have  been  so  since  yester  evening ! 

Pedro  {bitterly) 
Since  yester  evening ! 

Nuri 
I'm    knitting    you    a    pretty    woolen 

jacket 
For  yours  is  so  grey  and  shabby 

Pedro 
No  use,   my  child,    for   I    shall   never 

wear  it, 
Before  you've  finished  it,  I  shall  be  far. 

Nuri  {in  alarm) 
Far,  Pedro? 

Pedro 
Yes,  far  away  from  Marta.     It  drives 

me  mad. 
Who  lit  that  light  within  her  chamber  ? 
Ah,  who? 

I  want  to  kill  him !     I  shall  not  rest 
Until  I've  plunged  my  knife  into  his 

craven  body ! 

Nuri 
Why,  what's  the  matter? 

Pedro  {recollecting  himself) 
Forgive  me,  child ! 

Nuri 
Have  you  been  hurt? 

{Pedro  sliakes  his  head 
negatively) 
I  know  quite  well  what's  hurting  you. 
Is  Marta  not  kind  to  you? 
And  are  they  all  laughing? 


TIEFLAND 


23 


Pedro 
Are  they  all  laughing? 

NURI 

The}'  all  are  saying:  "Oh,  that  poor 

Pedro" 
And  laughing  and  tittering. 
I  wonder  why? 

Pedro 
Yes,  why?    Ah,  why? 

They  all  know  my  dishonour 

But  I,  I  know  not  who  it  was. 
Oh,  why  did  I  come  down? 
Come  down  from  my  dear  mountains 
Where  I  dwelt  contented  ? 

NURI 

You  make  me  sad ! 

What  can  I  do  to  help  you? 

I  like  you  so.    Can  I  not  comfort  you  ? 

Pedro 

(Stroking  her  hair) 
My  pretty  child ! 

SCENE  II 
Pedro,  Nuri,  Marta 

NURI 

Here  is  Marta.     I  must  be  going. 

Pedro 
No,  don't  go — stay  awhile. 

Marta  (to  herself) 
What  can  he  want  with  Nuri? 
What  can  he  have  to  say? 

He  surely  can't  admire 

(She  goes  to  the  heartJi  and  pokes  the 

fire,  over  zvJiich  a  pot  is  hanging) 
Stupid    fire,    won't    you    burn    up 

l)righter  ? 

Wliat  are  they  talking  about  ?    .    .    , 
They  shall  not !     Shall  not ! 

NuRi  (going  up  to  Marta) 
What  news  this  morning? 

Marta 
O,  Nuri,  you  shall  have  the  latest  news : 
I've  seen  enough  of  you! 
Be  off,  out  of  this  house ! — 

Nuri 
Do  you  hear  that,  Pedro? 
Marta  turns  me  out. 
I  wished  to  help  her. 


Marta 
I  want  no  help — Begone,  or  I'll  drive 
you  out ! 

Nuri 
Whatever  have  I  done? 

Marta 
I  do  not  want  to  see  you ! 

Nuri 
I  shall  not  go  till  Pedro  says  I  must. 
He  is  the  master  here. 

Marta 
Well,  then,  let  Pedro  say  it  also. 

Pedro 
Go  then,  and  do  as  Marta  says, 
For  here  I  count  for  nothing. 
Be  good,  my  child,  and  go. 

Marta 
No,  stay  awhile,  I  want  you,  after  all. 

Nuri  (crying) 
What  shall  I  do? 

Pedro 
Best  go  my  child. 
And  I  am  coming  with  you. 

Marta 
No;  that  you  sha'n't! 
You  stay  with  me. 
For  you     .     .     . 

(Breaks  off,  for  he  has  stopped  short 
and  is  gazing  at  her  very  straight) 

Pedro 
For  I? 

Marta  (in  confusion) 
I  know  not,  cannot  tell. 

(SJie  sinks  crying  on  to  a  cliair) 
Pedro  (sarcastically) 
Do  you  believe  that  Marta's  crying? 
Not  in  the  least !     Just   the   reverse, 

she's  laughing! 
How  we  have  both  laughed  since  yes- 
terday, 
Since  our  wedding  day. 

(He  puts  liis  arm  around  Nuri 
and  leads  her  azu'ay) 
Then  come,  my  little  girl,  and  follow 

me. 
And  ne'er  come  to  this  house  again. 
What  would  you  here? 
Here  dwells  misfortune, 
Here  dwell  we — 

(Exit  with  Nuri) 


24 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


]\Iarta  (after  them;  bursts 
out  suddenly) 
He  shall  not  speak  to  Nuri ! 
He  shall  not  go  with  her ! 
Is  he  not  mine? 

And  none  shall  rob  me  of  my  Pedro ! 
(As  she  is  hurrying  to  the  gate 
she  runs  into  Tommaso) 

SCENE  HI 
Marta,  Tommaso 

ToMMASO 

Whither  so  fast? 

Marta 
I  do  not  know  !   Indeed  I  do  not  know ! 

Tommaso 
I  just  met  Pedro  and  he  seemed 
Quite  desperate. 

Marta 
Quite  desperate ! 

Tommaso 

The  people  laugh  and  he  cannot  tell 
why. 

They  mock  at  him  and  he  can  see  no 
reason — 

They*^re  all  aware  of  his  dishonor, 

But  he  alone  has  got  no  clue — 

But  he  will  ask  me :  Who,  ah  who  is 
the  man? 

Who  can  it  be  ?     For  I  will  kill  him ! 

And  I,  I  was  the  sponsor  of  this  mar- 
riage. 

Oh  how  I  hate  you  !    I  could  beat  you ! 

Marta 
Then  do ! 

Tommaso 
I  know  now  what  you  are.     You  are 
a — 

Marta 
No,  you  may  beat  me,  not  revile  me. 
Tell    me,    Tommaso,    had    you    not    a 
child  ? 

Tommaso 
I  had  a  child.     She  is  in  heaven  now. 

Marta 
Think  of  your  daughter  ere  you  judge 

me  harshly ! 
Had  you  died  first  and  left  her. 


Friendless  and  unprotected  in  a  wicked 

world. 
In  want  and  mis'ry,  who  would  give 

her  help? 
O,  God  Almighty !  take  pity  on  me, 
And  let  me  come  unto  Thee ! 
Only  Thou  canst  save  me. 
Only  Thou  canst  redeem  me ! 

(She  sinks  zvccping  on  to  a  chair) 

Tommaso 
You're  crying?     And   your   tears   are 
genuine  ? 

Marta 
Ah,  let  me  tell  you  how  it  all  came. 
The   truth   I    speak,   the  plain   unvar- 
nished truth ! 
\\^ill  vou  hear  me? 


Speak  on. 


Tommaso 


Marta 


I  know  not  who  my  father  was. 

I  never  saw  or  heard  of  him. 

My  mother  begged  for  alms  in  Bar- 
celona, 

In  summer  heat  and  winter  snow- 
storm. 

I  stood  with  her,  for  she  was  blind, 

Outside  the  church  doors  and  at  busy 
corners. 

She  never  spoke.  With  begging  out- 
stretched hand 

She  just  stood  there,  while  I  clung  to 
her  skirts 

And  cried  from  utter  weariness  and 
hunger. 

And  then  one  day  there  came  a  man 
to  us,  a  lame  old  cripple. 

Then  we  stood  and  begged  all  three. 
My  mother  and  the  cripple 

Would  often  fight  and  quarrel 

All  thro'  the  weary  night. 

Oh  what  a  life  of  wretched  shame  was 
mine ! 

Then  came  a  night  when  all  was 
strangely  still 

Dumb  on  the  ground  was  mother  lying. 

Dumb  sat  the  cripple  by  her  side. 

But  in  the  morning  he  got  up 

And  said  to  me:  "She  is  dead." 

His  words  I  did  not  understand. 

But  long  years  after  I  understood 
what  I  had  lost. 

Tommaso 
And  then  what  happened? 


T  I  E  F  L  A  N  D 


25 


JMarta 

From  Barcelona  day  by  day  we  wan- 
dered 

Through  the  plains  from  place  to  place. 

And  I  grew  up.     How  willingly 

Would  I  have  sought  for  work ! 

But  still  the  cripple  held  me  captive 

Because  my  dancing  drew  the  folk  to- 
gether 

And  used  to  make  them  stare  and 
throw  me  money. 

He  was  contented.  And  what  did  he 
care. 

If  thro'  the  weary  nights  I  lay  weep- 
ing. 

TOMMASO 

Unhappy  child ! 

Marta 
And  so  one  day  our  wand'rings  led  me 

hither. 
I  danced  before  the  peasants 
And    the    old    man    went    about    and 

passed  his  hat  for  money. 
And  then  a  man  came  up,  the  people 

called  him  master. 
'Twas    Seljastiano.      He    stroked    my 

glossy  hair 
And  bade  me  tell  him  how  it  happened 
That  I  had  grown  so  pretty, 
And  where  I  learnt  to  dance? 
'Twas    he    who    spoke    the    first    kind 

words  I  heard. 
And  then  the  master  saw  the  cripple, 
And  asked  him  whether  he  would  like 

to  stay  here, 
And  take  the  post  of  miller. 
I  pleaded  with  my  eyes.:  No  need  to 

beg  again. 
No   need   to  dance   to   keep   ourselves 

from  starving ! 
The  cripple  then  whispered  to  Seliasti- 

ano. 
They  bargained  and  they  haggled — and 

we  stayed. 
I  then  was  fourteen  years  of  age. 
And  Sebastiano  came  here  daily, 
He  brought  me  costly  presents,  liegged 

and  threatened. 
The  old  man  beat  me,  even  tore  my 

hair  out. 
Unless  I  yielded  to  the  master. 
Our  peace  and  comfort  would  be  over, 
Once  more  a  life  of  begging  and   of 

dancing.     .     . 
No,  no,  no !     And  that  is  how  I  fell. 


ToMMASO 

You  poor  unfortunate! 

AIarta 
Yes  unfortunate,  but  not  bad! 

ToMMASO 

God  punish  Sebastiano ! 

Marta 
IMy  life  was  wretched.  I  was  fettered 
By  my  disgrace. 

The  master  made  me  marry  Pedro. 
I  vowed  I  never  would, 
But  how  could  I,  a  poor  young  thing 
Defy  the  master? 

Tommaso 
And  I.  alas,  assisted  him ! 

Marta 
A  marvel  occurred : 
While  we  were  in  the  chapel,  I  seemed 

to  hear 
A  message  from  above :  This  is  your 

mate, 
Your  rock  and  shield,  and  he  will  save 

you 
From  all  your  grief  and  pain. 
And  Pedro    .     .     .     Pedro  loves  me. 
He  loves  me  truly,  tho'  I  am  unworthy. 

Tommaso 
And  Pedro  does  not  know, 
But   soon   will   learn  your   story,   and 
then  will  despise  you — 

Marta 
Despise  me  you  say  ?    He  may ! 
Since  I  am  certain  that  he  loves  me ! 
As  certain  as  I  am  that  I  too  love  him ! 
Yes.  now  I  know  it. 
And  all  the  world  may  hear  it ! 
My  heart  will  overflow. 
Just   as   the  torrent   melts   the   ice   in 

spring. 
Love's  mighty  torrent  thro'  my  heart 

is  surging. 
I  love  him.  Tommaso,  hark  to  me ! 
And  he  may  beat  me.  he  may  kill  me, 
And  make  me  suffer  as  he  will. 
I  love  him,  he  is  mine  and  I  am  his — 

Tommaso 
Nay.   if  you  love  him,  you  have   but 

one  course. 
The  truth  you  have  to  tell  him. 


26 


TIEFLAND 


Mart  A 
I   am   to   tell   him?      To    confess    my 

shame  to  Pedro? 
And    if    he    goes?      Suppose    that    I 

should  lose  him? 

TOMMASO 

He  must  be  told  it !     Must  be  told  by 

you! 
Enough    of    falsehood!      Have    the 

strength  to  tell  him ! 
Mart  A 
Then  pray  for  me! 

ToMMASO 

That  I  will  do! 

I  will  pray  heav'n  to  .grant  you  per- 
fect strength 

To  go  through  this  ordeal.    Have  faith 
in  God 

Who  helpeth  all.    He  worketh  wonders 

Thro'  the  pow'r  of  love. 
Marta  (kneeling  down  before  him) 

Then  bless  me. 

ToMMASO 

The  Lord  enfold  you  in  His  arms, 

His  ever-loving  arms, 

And    give    you    courage,    faith    and 

strength. 
For  He  is  merciful. 
Have  faith  in  Him  and  you  are  strong, 
Look  up  to  Him 

And  in  His  mercy  place  your  hope ! 
(Voices,  laughter  and  chattering 
heard  in  the  background) 

Marta 

0  here    is    Nuri    together    with    the 

women. 

1  don't  want  to  see  them — Farewell. 

{Off) 

SCENE  IV 

ToMMAso,  Rosalia,  Antonia, 
Pepa,  Nuri 

Pepa 
There  is  Tommaso,  he  must  tell  us. 

Antonia 
Where  is  Marta?    Where  is  Pedro? 

Rosalia 
Do  tell  us  what  took  place, 

Tommaso 
I  do  not  know. 

Pepa 
He  wants  to  go. 

(Detaining  him) 
Oh,  can't  you  wait  a  moment? 


Tommaso 
Peace  be  with  you  all ! 

(Exit) 
Antonia 
The  mean  old  crosspatch,  he  will  not 
tell  us. 

Nuri 
He  does  not  know,  but  I  know  all. 

All  Three  Women  (together) 
O  darling  Nuri,  dearest,  sweetest  child 
Do  tell  us  all — do  say,  what  has  oc- 
curred ? 

Nuri   (laughing) 
Don't  make  a  noise,  for  Pedro's  com- 
ing ; 
If  you  are  so  curious 
Ask  him  yourselves. 

SCENE  V 
The  above    (Enter  Pedro) 
(All  retire  to  the  back,  Pedro  comes 
forward  and  sits  down) 

Pepa 
What,  so  sullen,  so  dejected ! 

Rosalia 
The  morning  after  the  wedding! 

Antonia 
No  civil  word  for  us? 

Pedro 
What  want  you  here? 

The  Three  Women 
We  bring  you  corn  to  grind. 
Is  there  water  in  the  basin,  and  is  the 
wheel  at  work? 

Pedro 
Set  down  your  baskets  there. 
And  I  will  see  your  corn  is  ground. 

Pepa 
You're  looking  ill. 

Antonia 
Are  you  ill? 

Rosalia 
Are  you  not  well  ? 

Pedro 
What's  that  to  do  with  you  ? 

Antonia 
But  where  is  Marta? 

Pedro 
That's  no  concern  of  yours ! 


TIEFLAND 


27 


Rosalia 
Mayn't  one  inquire  how  Marta  is 
The  day  after  the  wedding? 

(They  all  three  .laugh) 

Pedro 
Why  the  devil  are  you  laughing  ? 

Pepa 
We're  not  laughing  at  all. 

Anton  I A  (laughing) 
No,  nobody  has  laughed. 

Pedro 
I  won't  stand  it  any  longer, 
I'll  force  you  to  speak ! 
Stop  your  laughing,  once  for  all! 

(He  catches  hold  of  Pepa) 
You  speak  for  all! 
You  laughed  last  night,  and  laughed 

today. 
What  have  I  done  to  you? 
And  what  has  Marta? 
(He  shakes  her  xvith  both  arms.    The 
Women  shriek.     Pepa  tears  herself 
free.     Pedro  seises  Rosalia.) 
You  are  to  answer  me,  you  shameless 
woman ! 

Rosalia 
You  are  a  fool ! 

(Pedro  seises  her  by  the  throat) 

Pedro 
A  fool  am  I  ?    Yes,  you  are  right  I 
Yet  you  drive  me  to  madness ! 
If  for  your  life  you  care,  then  answer 

me! 
What  was  it  made  you  laugh? 

Antonia  (pointedly) 
You'd  best  ask  Marta! 

The  Three  Women 
You'd  best  ask  Marta? 

Pedro 

(Recollecting  himself) 
Marta?    I  am  to  ask  her? 

The  Three  Women 

(As  they  go  off) 
Ask  Marta? 

NURI 

(Has  till  nozv  been  standing  timidly  in 
the    background.      She    nozv    comes 
forward  and  lays  her  hand  on  Pe- 
dro's shoulder.) 
Ask  Marta? 

The  Three  Women 
For  here  she  comes ! 

(They  all  run  off) 


SCENE  VI 

Pedro,  Marta 

Marta 

(Has  come  down,  has  taken  the  pot 

from  the  fire  and  put  it  on  the  table) 

Your  dinner  is  there ! 

(She  adds  a  loaf  and  a  knife) 
Pedro 
I  cannot  eat  it,  Marta, 
I've  something  to  tell  you. 

Marta  (coming  close  to  him) 
What  have  you  to  tell  me? 

Pedro  (stretching  out  his  arm) 
Do  not  come  near  me,  go ! 
I'm    going    back   to   my    mountains, 

whence  I  came; 
Farewell ! 

Marta 
You  shall  not  go.     For  love  of  Jesus 

Christ 
Forgive  me ! 

Pedro 
I  am  to  forgive  you?    When  you  have 

deceived  me? 
To  spurn  you,  to  curse  you  is  what  I 

ought ! 
I  ought  to  kill  you! 

Marta 
Yes,  kill  me,  I  beg  and  pray  you  for  it. 

Pedro 

To  kill  you,  no.     I'll  go  away 

And  never  more  behold  you. 

Marta 

(In  desperation  tries  to  detain  him) 

Where   is  your   courage?     Come  and 

kill  me ! 
No,  you  are  afraid,  faint-hearted  cow- 
ard you ! 

Pedro 
Afraid? 

Marta 
Revile  me,  beat  me,  trample  upon  me! 
Strike  with  your  knife  straight  at  my 

heart — 
But  do  not  go. 

(She  clings  to  his  knees) 
Pedro 
The  Lowland  kills  me,  let  me  seek  my 

mountains ; 
You  stay  down  in  the  mire — with  him ! 
(He  frees  himself  from  her  clasp, 
pushes  her  azvay  and  goes  tozvards 
the  gate.  She  has  fallen  down,  and 
raises  herself  slightly,  raising  herself 
on  one  arm.) 


28 


TIEFLAND 


Marta 

{Nearly  beside  herself  zuith  despera- 
tion, laughing  and  crying  at  the  same 
time.) 

With  him  whom  I  love!  Yes,  you 
speak  true ! 

I  have  deceived  you,  mark  what  I  say ! 

You  are  a  coward,  afraid  to  strike — 

Do  not  leave  me  !     Pedro ! 

I  belonged  to  another  man — 

His  was  I.     Now  do  you  hear? 

His  and  not  thine ! 

Pedro 

(Turns   back  furiously   and   threatens 

Jier  ivitJi  his  fist) 

Silence !    . 

Marta 

(Gets  up,  visibly  contented  that 

he  has  not  gone) 

Oh,  can't  you  see  it  ?    How  stupid  you 

are! 
I  have  deceived  you,  and  laugh  at  the 
fact. 

{She  laughs  like  one  mad) 

I  laugh  as  they  all  did. 

The  wedding  was  merry ;  they  all  were 

*  laughing,  and  he. 
He  was  laughing,  too. 

Pedro 

{Rushes  to  the  table  and  seises 

tJie  knife) 

May  the  Lord  strike  me  if  I  don't 

Marta 
{Hanging  on  Jiis  left  arm) 
The  other  was  laughing,  ha,  ha,  ha ! 

Pedro  {brandishing  the  knife) 
You'll  die  for  this ! 

Marta 
Then    pluck    up    courage,    prepare    to 

strike ! 
And  show  that  you  are  not  afraid! 

Pedro  {retreats  from  her  again) 
I  can  do  naught  to  harm  you ! 

Marta 
{Seeing  that  he  is  turning  from  her, 

tries  to  provoke  him  anew) 
Oh,  what  a  craven  you  must  be ! 
All  for  some  paltry  money  your  honor 
you  have  sold. 
{She  looks  at  him  provocatively) 


Pedro 
{Beside  himself,  brandishes  the 
knife  towards  her) 
My  honor  sold? 
You  liar ! 

{He  wounds  her  arm) 
Marta 
Ah,  rapture ! 

Pedro 

{Flinging  the  knife  away  in  horror) 

Oh,  what  have  I  done? 

Marta 

At  last  your  hand  has  struck  me ; 

Could  you  but  know  how  happy  I  am ! 

Pedro 

Accurst  am  I !    Fm  but  a  savage  beast ! 

{He  drops  into  a  chair,  resting  his 

head  in  his  hands  in  despair) 

Marta 

{Comes  close  to  him,  kneels  dozvn  and 

puts  her  arms  round  him) 
You  did  no  more  than  duty  asked ! 
I  longed  to  die,  to  die  thro'  you ! 
And  I  implore  you,  strike  here,  right 
thro'  my  heart ! 
Pedro 
(Horrified,  tries  to  throw  her  off) 
Leave  me ! 

Marta 

(Weeping,  holding  him  fast  in 

her  arms) 

Can  vou  not  see  that  I  am  weary  of 

life? 
I  long  to  die !     How  I  should  bless  it, 
Death  by  your  hand ! 
From    sin    and    sorrow    naught    will 

cleanse  me 
Excepting  death. 

Believe  me,  my  Pedro,  trust  my  words, 
I  was  not  bad,  but  only  wretched. 
A  cruel  world  has  treated  me  so  hardly, 
And  crushed  my  happiness ! 
Only  a  fleeting  glimpse  of  joy 
Your  hand  can  give  me. 
Kill  me  then,  and  end  my  suff'rings. 
Pedro 
(Folding  her  in  his  arms) 
I  am  to  kill  you?     You,  whom  I  wor- 
ship ? 
For  since  first  I  saw  you, 
I  have  loved  you  to  madness. 
What  do  I  care,  who  you  may  be? 
What  do  I  care,  what  you  have  done? 
For  you  have  bewitched  me,   I   can't 

escape 
From  your  heart's  magic 


TIEFLAND 


29 


And  strive  against  it  as  I  may, 

I  fall  but  more  and  more  beneath  your 

spell. 
I  want  to  kiss  you,  want  to  hold  you, 
Never  be  parted  from  you ! 
I'll  bear  you  off  within  my  arms 
Unto  my  mountains, 
']\Iid  raging  storm  and  whirling  snow, 
Up  in  my  mountains'  purer  air 
There  will  we  celebrate  our  real  wed- 
ding. 
There  no  one  can  rob  me,  no  one, 
There  you'll  be  mine,  mine,  mine ! 
(She  has  sunk  half  fainting  info  his 

arms.     He   drazvs   her   towards   the 

gate.) 
Now  come  who  dare,  I  will  defy  him. 

Marta  (regaining  consciousness) 
My  God ! 

Pedro 

(Raises  Jicr,  as  tJioiigh  to  kiss  her) 
Now  you  are  mine ! 

AIarta  (turning  azvay) 
No,  no! 

Pedro   (ardently) 
IMarta ! 

AIarta 
Ah,  do  not  kiss  me  till  you  hear 
What  I  have  to  tell  you. 
You  must  hear  from  me,  how  all  came 

to  pass, 
And  judge  me  then ! 
Then  do  what  God  may  prompt  you  to ! 

Pedro 
No,  no,  not  here ! 

Pedro  and  Marta 
First  let  us  arise  and  go  to  the  moun- 
tains 
Where  we  are  close  to  heaven 
And  near  to  God  Himself, 
there  will  I  tell  you 
And  near  to  God  f^here  will  I  tell  you 
Himself  i  there  shall  you  tell 

[     me 

All  that  oppresses  j    ^^j.  c  soul. 

For  love  is  like  a  mighty  stream. 
It  purifies  all  sorrow. 
In  God's  own  heart  it  doth  arise. 
In  God's  own  hand  its  pathway  lies, 
.     .  f  if  you  love  me  you  |       will 
(  as  I  love  you  I         j   forgive  1 

Pedro 
Then  come ! 

{Tliey  go  toivards  the  gate) 


SCENE  VII 

Marta,  Pedro,  Sebastiano^  then 

Men  and  Women 

Sebastiano 

Give  you  good  day !       What  may  the 

news  be? 

Pedro 
'Tis  well  that  you  come.     Take  back 

the  mill  you  gave  me. 
I'm  going  back  whence  I  came. 
Sebastiano 
(Without  Jiceding  him,  to  Marta) 
I'm  waiting  for  the  father  of  my  bride. 
Till  he  comes,  let's  be  merry. 
You  used  to  dance  to  please  me. 
Dance  for  me  now.     I'll  play  the  tune. 
(Mcanzi'Jiile  the  Peasants,  Men  and 
Women,  have  entered.    Sebastiano 
takes  a  guitar  from  one  of  them.) 
Dance,  do  your  hear? 

(He  plays  and  sings) 
Come,  throw  you  mantilla  around  you 

with  grace 
And  dance  me  a  lively  measure. 
Now  foot  it,  beloved,  with  nimble  pace 
Dance  for  my  pleasure. 
Spin  round  in  tune  with  the  music  I 

play, 
While  lightly  as   air   to  and    fro  you 

sway, 
Now  foot  it,  beloved,  with  agile  pace 
Dance  for  my  pleasure. 
Pedro 
Enough !  and  you,  Marta,  come  away ! 
Sebastiano 
(Continues  to  play  and  sing 
unconcernedly) 
And    see    that    your    dancing    betrays 

what  you  feel, 
Show  how  your  heart  is  beating, 
And  let  your  eyes  the  bliss  reveal 
Of  lovers'  meeting. 

Of  stolen  kisses  and  joys  I  could  sing. 
Of  arms  that  caress  and  lips  that  cling. 
And  let  your  eyes  the  bliss  reveal 
Of  lovers'  meeting. 

Pedro 
Marta,  come  away ! 

Sebastiano   (angrily) 
What's  that  he  says  ? 

Marta 
He  says    .    .    . 

Pedro 
We  must  away ! 

IMarta 
We  must  away  i 


30 


TIEFLAND 


Sebastiano 
(Beside  himself  seises  Marta 
by  the  arm) 
You  are  demented !    It  must  not  be ! 

Pedro 
What  are  you  doing,  sir? 

Sebastiano  (to  Pedro) 
I'm  keeping  what's  mine. 

Pedro 
Is  Marta  not  my  wife? 

(Sebastiano  laughs) 
Marta 
I'll  go  with  Pedro,  and  you  have  no 

right 
To  forbid  me. 

Sebastiano 
No  right  ?     That  we  will  see ! 

(To  the  People) 
Turn  out  this  fellow  from  here ! 

(To  Marta) 
And  you  stay  here ! 
Pedro 
(Taking  Marta  by  the  hand) 
My  wife  is  mine,  and  we  will  go. 

Sebastiano 
Take  that  for  your  presumption,  you 
rogue,  you  vagabond ! 

(Gives  him  a  box  on  the  ear) 
Pedro  (yells  out  in  a  fury) 
Ah! 

Marta 
Pedro,  he  has  struck  you! 
Take  vengeance  for't. 

Pedro  (crying  with  rage) 
How  dare  I  ? 
He  is  the  master! 

Marta 
The  master,  he? 

He  was  the  man  who  drove  your  wife 
To  shame  and  to  disgrace. 
He  brought  misfortune  over  me 
And  you — 
He  stole  last  night  into  my  chamber ! 

Pedro 
What's  that  you  say    .     .     .     You? 
(He  is  about  to  throxv  himself  on  Se- 
bastiano in  a  frenzy,  but  the  others 
hold  him  off.) 
You  villain  !     You  thief  ! 

Sebastiano 
Turn  him  out ! 

Pedro 
I'll  murder  you! 

Sebastiano 
Why  this  delay?    Away  with  him! 


Pedro 
Let  me  go  I    Hands  oft' ! 
I'll  kill  you!     I'll  murder  you! 
(Sebastiano,  taking  hold  of  Marta) 
She  shall  remain  mine  forever! 

Marta 
Pedro,  my  Pedro,  help! 
Pedro 
I'll    save    you,    as    true    as    God's    in 

heav'n  above. 
I'll  save  you! 

(TJie  Men  drag  off  the  furious  Pedro, 
and  Sebastiano,  laughing  and  tri- 
umphant, turns  to  Marta  who  has 
fallen  down  unconscious.) 

SCENE  VIII 

(ToMMASo  appears  in  the 

gateway) 

Sebastiano 

What  is  it  now? 

ToMMASO 

The  father  of  your  bride  sends  you  a 
message. 

Sebastiano 
Well  what  is  it? 

ToMMASO 

He  sends  you  greeting,  and  the  match 

if  off! 
For  his  daughter  will  never  be  your 

bride ! 

Sebastiano 
What  the  devil  I     Who  told  him  the 

truth ! 

ToMMASO 

I  told  him  all,  I  myself. 
Sebastiano 
Fool,  meddlesome  idiot ! 

(Exit  TOMMASO) 

Marta 
Holy  Virgin,  help  me  now ! 

Sebastiano- 
Now  I  have  only  you  to  call  my  own ! 
My  bride  I  have  lost,  and  lost  I  am 

myself ! 
You  I  will  never  lose! 
Marta 
You  may  kill  me,  but  I'll  not  be  yours ! 

Sebastiano 
Why,  my  sweetheart,  you  are  wild. 
But  I  shall  find  a  way  to  tame  you. 
The  mill  at  least  is  mine,  and  you  are 

mine 
Then  try  not  to  escape  me  I 


TIEFLAND 


31 


Marta 
Oh,  by  what  pow'r  in  heaven  shall  I 

beg  you 
To  give  me  freedom? 

Sebastiano 
The  heavens  remain  deaf. 
Call  to  your  God  and  all  His   Saints 

above, 
See,  I  defy  them. 

Here  is  the  only  refuge  left  to  me. 
Here  will  I  stay  alone  with  you. 
The  world  may  go  to  hell  for  aught  I 

care! 

Marta 
Then  will  you  show  no  mercy? 

Sebastiano 
Love  I'll  show,  but  mercy,  never ! 
I  cannot  live  without  you ! 
I  cannot  breathe  without  you ! 

,  Marta 
And  I  have  also  learnt  what  love  is ! 
I  love  Pedro — him  alone ! 

Sebastiano 
Ah,  do  not  mention  him.    A  curse  on 
him! 

Marta 
I'll  call  for  him  with  all  my  might ! 
My  Pedro,  come  and  save  me ! 

Sebastiano 
Peace,  Marta,  you  must  be  raving ! 

Marta 
I'm  no  longer  the  humble  Marta  of  old. 
The  weak  defenseless  child. 
I  fight  not  for  myself, 
I'm  fighting  for  my  love,  my  love  and 

Pedro, 
I'm  fighting  for  my  happiness ! 
That  Marta  whom  you  knew,  is  here 

no  longer. 
You  see  a  wife,  prepared  to  die 
For  love  and  Pedro. 

Sebastiano 
How  grand  you  look  when  angry ! 
Come  let  me  kiss  you,  come ! 

Marta 
Stand  back !    Let  go. 

(She  calls) 
Pedro ! 

Sebastiano 
Call  as  you  may,  'tis  useless. 

Submit  or  I  will  force  you 

(After  struggling  desperately  with  him 
Marta  frees  herself  and  hurries 
across  the  stage.) 


Marta 
Will  no  one  save  me?     (She  calls) 
Pedro ! 

Sebastiano 
No,  none  will  save  you !    Mine  you  are, 

mine! 
And  with  my  kisses  will  I  seal  your 
lips! 

(He  rushes  towards  her) 
Marta 
My  Pedro  !    Come  to  me ! 

Sebastiano 
Your  cries  are  useless ! 
Now  let  him  come  and  snatch  you  from 
me! 

SCENE  IX 
(The    above.      Pedro    comes    out    of 
Marta's  room  and  is  on  the  stage 
with  one  bound.) 

Pedro 
I  have  come  to  snatch  her  from  you! 

Marta  (clinging  to  him) 
My  Pedro! 

Sebastiano  (retreating) 
How  come  you  here? 

Pedro 
I've  come  here  through  the  self-same 

door 
Thro'  which  you  came  last  night 
As  master  and  thief. 
Now  we  are  alone,  man  for  man ! — 

Sebastiano 
Be  off!    Quick! 

Pedro 
I  am  to  be  off  ?    I  ? 
I  am  no  more  the  yokel 
Whom  you  came  to  fetch  from  Rocca- 

bruna 

I  am  your  equal  now. 
No  longer  in  your  service; 
Man  for  man. 

Sebastiano 
How  dare  you — wait  and  see ! 

(Is  about  to  go  to  the  gate) 
Marta 
Pedro  I 

Pedro 
(With  one  bound  he  places  himself  be- 
tween Sebastiano  and  the  gate) 
You  would  escape  me  ?   Craven  hound ! 
No,  you  sha'n't  get  away ! 
'Tis  here  and  now  that  we  will  end  the 

matter. 
Here  stands  my  wife !     I  have  a  right 
to  her ! 


Z2 


TIEFLAND 


And  yet  you  dare  to  claim  her ! 
Take  her  then!     You  must  fight  for 
her  first  tho'! 
(Drazvs  a  knife  from  his  pocket) 
The  victor  shall  possess  her. 
And    he   is    victor   who   survives    the 
fight! 

Sebastiano 
But,  you  have  a  knife! 
I  have  none — 

Pedro 
I  need  it  not, 

The  vi^eapon  to  destroy  you  is  in  my 
heart. 

{He  flings  azvay  the  knife) 
Come,  we  now  fight  fair! 

Marta  {hurrying  up  to  Pedro) 
What  are  you  doing  ? 

Pedro  {pushes  her  back) 
Stay  where  you  are  and  let  me  be  ? 
{To  Sebastiano) 
What  holds  you  back  ?    We  now  fight 
fair! 

Sebastiano 
Your  hour  has  come! 

{He  rushes  to  pick  up  the  knife) 

Marta   {shrieks) 
Ah!  ^ 

Pedro 
{Has  guessed  Sebastianq-s  intention, 

bounds  forward  and  places  one  foot 

on  the  knife.) 
You  traitor!     Can't  you  fight  fairly? 
Now,  pick  up  that  knife! 

Sebastiano  {shouts) 
Curses  on  you! 

Pedro 
I  pity  you,  your  luck  is  bad ! 
Your  day  is  over  now ;  your  tyranny  is 

ended. 
I  mean  to  end  it! 

Marta 
O'  God  in  Heaven  !     Holy  Virgin ! 
Mother  of  Mercy,  send  him  aid ! 

Sebastiano 
I  too  can  wrestle 

Pedro 
Well,  then  try.     Defend  yourself ! 

{He  seizes  him  by  the  throat) 
Guard  yourself ! 

Sebastiano 
Help!    Help! 

Pedro 
Call  away  !   Call  your  men  to  save  you ! 


Sebastiano 
You  are  choking  me ! 

Marta  {drops  on  her  knees  in  horror) 
Mother  of  Mercy! 

Pedro 
No  longer  can  you  struggle ! 
Your  life  1  have  extinguished 
Like  a  candle  blown  out  by  the  wind. 
^         ,         ,  {To  Marta) 

Come  here,  look,  he  is  dead ! 

{He  flings  him  down  on 
the  ground) 

T        I   J^   Marta  (mm^) 
Jesus!   rJLOcv-4Jt| 

Pedro 
{Looks  at  the  dead  man  a  moment 
then  goes  to  the  gate  and  opens  it) 
Hi  lads,  come  here !    You  women,  too. 
All  of  you  come ! 

SCENE  X 
{The  above.   Men  and  Women,  Pepa 
Rosalia,  Antonia,  Nuri,  Tomma- 
so.    Marta  is  leaning,  half  faintinq 
against  the  table.) 

The  Lads 
What's  this? 

Pedro 
The  master  calls  you ! 

Pepa  {catching  sight  of  the  corpse) 
Dead  ? 

ROSAEIA 

Almighty  God! 

TOMMASO 

The  wrath  of  heaven 

Has  laid  him  low ! 

God  pardon  all  such  sinners. 

Pedro 
And   now,   why  aren't  you   laughing? 

Laugh ! 
Now  is  the  time  for  laughing ! 
Come,  Marta,  come  with  me ! 
For  we  will  go. 

Marta 
Yes,  far  from  here! 

Pedro  {lifting  her  in  his  arms) 
Away  up  in  my  mountains, 
Away  to  light  and  freedom! 
Far  from  the  Lowland! 
Stand  back,  you  people, 
Give  us  room ! 
The  wicked  wolf  is  dead. 
The  wolf  is  dead,  and  I  have  killed 
him ! 

The  curtain  falls  slozvly 


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